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23
The campaign for vaccination against measles, launched by the Ministry
of Health in 1968, suffered a setback during the year owing to shortage of
vaccine. In March Burroughs Wellcome withdrew their vaccine following severe
reactions in three children and throughout most of the rest of the year only
limited supplies of Glaxo vaccine were available. In December notification
was received from the Department of Health and Social Security that supplies
imported from America would be issued early in the New Year.
Health visitors were thanked by the Medical Research Council for their
help in the work on the long-term follow up of the first series of children
vaccinated against measles.
In order to maintain essential services in the event of an outbreak of
Hong Kong influenza, vaccine was offered to all field staff in the Health
Department in January 1969. Day nursery staff, domestic staff, district nurses
and midwives, full-time medical officers, staff at maternal and child health
centres, public health inspectors and technical assistants, social workers and
training centre staff were offered the vaccine at the beginning of the year.
In November vaccine was offered to day nursery staff and domestics, district
nurses, midwives and home helps working for 30 hours or more. The expected
outbreak of Hong Kong influenza in January did not materialise but an epidemic
occurred without previous warning in November. This continued into the new year
and in many instances gave rise to severe attacks and prolonged disability.
MIDWIFERY
The number of home confinements has continued to decline and during 1969
fell by a further 101 to 264.

In view of the declining number of domiciliary confinements, a decision
to review the administration of this service was made in 1968. Discussions
with all interested parties at the beginning of the year led to a recommendation
that there should be an extension of the agency agreement with the
Hackney Group Hospital Management Committee whereby the domiciliary midwifery
service for the whole borough would be provided by the Mothers Hospital.
Present directly employed midwives would retain their terms and conditions of
service. Eight midwives are needed to cover the borough. There were only
three directly employed midwives at the end of the year.
A revised agreement is to be drawn up and the date now proposed for the
new arrangement is 1st April, 1970.
During the year 150 state certified midwives notified this Council, as
local supervisory authority, of their intention to practise within the area.
Many of the midwives are transitory as they are practising through nursing
agencies in the borough.
In conjunction with the midwifery training school at the Mothers Hospital,
the Council provides facilities for the practical training of pupil midwives
taking Part II of their midwifery training course. Of the 47 pupils who
completed district training in this area during the year, 9 were placed for
their three months' course with midwives in the Council's domiciliary service
who are teachers approved by the Central Midwives Board.