160 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ORDERS, ETC. MEMORANDUM AS TO THE CONDITIONS UPON WHICH GRANTS WILL BE MADE BY THE MINISTER OF HEALTH IN AID OF THE TRAINING OF MIDWIVES. I. INTRODUCTION. (1) It will be remembered that in 1919 the Board of Education (Midwives' Training) Regulations were issued under which grants could be paid by the Board to recognised residential institutions in aid of the training of intending or practising midwives. As the supervision of the arrangements for securing an adequate supply of midwives is within the province of the Minister of Health, it has been decided that as from the 1st April, 1925, the Exchequer grants in aid of the training of midwives shall be made by the Minister. (2) The Central Midwives Board have recently revised their rules relating to the training of midwives and have decided to increase the minimum period of training from six months to one year in the case of students other than trained nurses, and from four months to six months in the case of trained nurses. These changes have been approved by the Minister and will take effect from the 1st May, 1926. It will be observed that, whilst the conditions set out below upon which grants will in future be made in aid of the training of midwives are generally in accordance with the conditions specified in the Regulations made by the Board of Education in 1919, they provide for a substantial increase of grant as soon as the rules requiring the extended periods of training come into operation. (3) It will be noted that certain alterations and extensions have been made with regard to the courses for practising midwives in respect of which grant will be payable, and it is hoped that midwives will avail themselves of these opportunities as widely as possible. (4) Representations have been made to the Minister in regard to the present arrangements for the payment of grant to training institutions under which the grants payable in respect of any financial year are not paid until after the end of the year. It has, therefore, been decided, in future, to make a grant on account. where this is desired, during the course of any financial year in respect of training which is being given in that year |