View report page

31
Borough Councils as a whole preparing in co-operation with the
London County Council a scheme for the provision of midwives
either salaried or subsidised throughout the area of the administrative
County of London.
The establishment of a salaried service of midwives in Camberwell
would undoubtedly improve the midwifery services available,
and would also assist in the effort which is being made to secure a
reduction in the maternal mortality and morbidity rates.
Such a service would also enable the advantages of the antenatal
and post-natal services established by the Council at St.
Giles' and Dulwich Hospitals to be fully secured, as this scheme would
ensure the provision of skilled attendance at fully equipped clinics
for the patient who cannot afford to pay for such services. Further,
the salaried midwife would be available to act when required as a
maternity nurse for patients who engage a medical practitioner for
their confinement but whose financial circumstances do not allow
of the payment for a trained nursing attendant.
Midwifery Assistance.
During the year 5 applications were received under the
Council's Scheme which provides for the payment of the whole or
part of the fees of a midwife for professional services rendered to
necessitous mothers who are unable to pay for such services, and
the appropriate Committee authorised payment in full of the
midwife's fee in every instance following investigation into the
economic circumstances of the applicant.
Provision of Meals to Necessitous Expectant and Nursing
Mothers.
At the end of the year arrangements were made by the Council
with the Invalid Kitchens of London to supply midday meals
at their local kitchen, 10a, Huguenot Road, Peckham, to expectant
and nursing mothers in necessitous circumstances for whom such
meals were recommended by the Clinic Medical Officer of an AnteNatal
Clinic, or the Medical Officer of an Infant Welfare Centre.
The Milk Applications Sub-Committee were authorised to
consider applications received and to deal with them on similar
lines to applications received in connection with the Council's
Milk Distribution Scheme.
Although only two applications for dinners were granted
during the period to which this report refers, the Scheme is becoming
deservedly popular, and at the time of writing applications are
considered weekly by the appropriate Committee. There is no
doubt that this addition to the Maternity and Child Welfare
Services of the Council is much appreciated by Clinic Medical Officers
and the patients.