January 30, 1948, Public Assistance Journal and Health & Hospital Review

On the midwifery service: “The year just reported on by the Central Midwives Board saw continues heavy pressure on both domiciliary and institutional midwifery services. The increase in the birth rate during these twelve months was also reflected in growing pressure on the service. Fortunately this has been met in some degree by a slow but steady increase in the numbers of practising midwives. It is stated that 17,095 midwives notified their intention to practice in 1946, the highest number of notifications since 1940. But…it is estimated that not more than 50 per cent of newly qualified midwives do in fact enter regular practice. The general result of the calculation is to estimate that 800 newly qualified midwives must serve to make up for the annual estimated wastage of 500 midwives from those qualified in 1939 and previously for the wastage among those qualified since 1939 and also provide for the increased demand for midwives in the health service.”