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85
majority of the patients arc very poor, and frequently embarrassed
to meet the incidental expenses of their confinement, it was decided
that a fee of 12s. 6d. only should be charged, except where upon
inquiry it should appear that the patient could afford more ; great
care is said to be taken in every case to fix a fee commensurate
with the patient's means.
From the 1st January to 31st December, 1919, the amount
paid by 94 Hackney residents was £40 5s. 6d.
The Maternity and Child Welfare Committee considered that
the work carried on at this hospital also clearly comes within the
scope of maternity and child welfare work producing important
and far-reaching results to the advantage of mothers and infants
alike, and therefore recommended the Council to make a contribution
towards the funds of the hospital in " necessitous cases," such
term to mean, and be applicable to, cases from the Hackney Borough
in which the patients might be unable to pay for treatment an
amount equal to one-half the cost to the hospital authorities (on
the past year's figures, £2 18s. 11d.), and that a contribution of one
guinea be granted in each case.
The Ministry of Health has been asked to consent to the
recommendation of this Council in the foregoing terms as from
1st April, 1920.
Infant Centres.
The year's work, both at the three municipal centres and the
two voluntary centres has been exceptionally good, and the
attendances have been greater than the Medical Officers and Health
Visitors could properly deal with. As will be seen from the table
below the weekly attendances at the Overbury Street and Brooksby's
Walk centres averaged 70-76, with the result that the centres have
had to remain open nearly twice as long as the scheduled time ,
steps are, however, now being taken to open a further Council
centre so as to prevent the present overcrowding and diminish the
work of the officers in attendance.