Concerning a Maternity Service

" The proposals contained in the MIaternity Services (Scotland) Bill constitute the first real attempt on the part of the Government to grapple intelligently with the problem of puerperal morbidity and mortality. It is the first step of the SecretarY of State for Scotland to carry into practical effect some of the recommendations contained in the Scottish Report, and if the Bill becomes an Act, local authorities in Scotland wvill be given the duty of initiating schemes upon certain defined lines. ... "As the local authority is (lirected to consult with such local organisation of registered practitioners as appears to the authority effectively to represent the opinion of such practitioners practising in the area, an opportunity will be afforded to the Divisions and Division B3ranches of the Association in Scotlan(d to induce the local authorities to adopt schemes in accordance w.ith the principles enunciated by the Association in its MIaternity Service Scheme. "All general practitioners and those carrying on special obstetric practice are vitally concerned, for upon the measure of success wvhich attends this comprehensive attempt to improve the stanclard of domiciliary midwifery in Scotland may well depend the initiation of sinilar schemes in England and WVales. Further participation b) State and local authority in the development of health services is inevitable. The changes N-hich have already taken place are not revolutionary, but are the logical outcolme of the development of sociological principles wvhich have characterised legislation irrespective of the party holding the reins of office, and the effect x-hich further (levelopments will have upoIn the medical profession depends altogether upon the manner in which we meet such developments.