National Conference on Infant Welfare : report of the proceedings of the National Conference on Infant Welfare, held at Kingsway Hall, London, on July 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, 1919.

  • National Conference on Infant Welfare (1919 : London)
Date:
1919
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: National Conference on Infant Welfare : report of the proceedings of the National Conference on Infant Welfare, held at Kingsway Hall, London, on July 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, 1919. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    know that for the most part they are well trained women, all working under expert supervision and giving skilled nursing to their cases. I].—Tue Mipwirt 1n Co-opERATION WITH OTHER HEALTH WORKERS IN THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST ANTE- AND NEo-NATAL MORTALITY. Midwives besides practising independently, and as staff midwives in institutions, are working under medical supervision as health visitors, créche nurses, rescue workers, infant welfare superintendents. The midwife has already her place in the sun of a better era of physical fitness for this and succeeding genera- tions, and she does not grudge others their place. I think you will agree that much of the medical work would be abortive without the sister professions of midwifery and nursing. Personally, I think every midwife, when qualified, should practise her profes- sion for at least a year, before taking up other work. This would lead to a broader and more sym- pathetic attitude to those who are practising mid- wives. These have their aspirations to add their quota to the common good and only ask to be allowed to work peaceably on professional lines under State control. It would, zz‘er aia, improve the profession, if more educated women would practise, and it certainly would lead to more sympathetic co-operation if other health-workers knew where the midwives’ shoes pinch. We are willing to co-operate with those who will co-operate with us. The midwife’s duties are well defined in her rules; broadly interpreted and con- scientiously carried out they make for a reduction of ante- and neo-natal mortality. To do more efficient work the midwife needs progressive education on broad lines, better economic conditions that will allow her to take fewer cases, and devcte full attention to each patient she attends—and a status and consideration commensurate with the importance of her work for
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