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116
MUNICIPAL MATERNITY HOME.
A Survey Report affords a useful opportunity for describing the
origin and the developing administration as well as the subsequent
work of the Maternity Home. In September, 1918, it fell to the lot of
Acting Medical Officer, Dr. Macdonald, to draw the attention of the
Public Health Committee to the Maternity and Child Welfare Act,
1918, a circular on which had been sent out to Local Authorities by
the Local Government Board. It was suggested by Dr. Macdonald,
that hospital beds might be provided for the treatment of complicated
cases of pregnancy, as such cases were dependant upon the various
lying-in homes and Maternity hospitals situated in different parts of
London (Poor-law beds excepted.) Long journeys had to be taken by
patients who had first to obtain hospital or other letters, and as admission
was not sanctioned until labour had commenced, many were confined at
home, with, in some cases, unsatisfactory results. Dr. Macdonald
suggested that a large vacant house, affording eight to ten beds, might be
provided for the needs of the Borough.
The first meeting of the newly constituted Maternity and Child
Welfare Committee was held on 4th December, 1918, and a letter was
read to the members from the National League for Health, Maternity
and Child Welfare, embodying an offer from the American Red Cross
of a small lying-in home to be selected in a London Borough by the
League. The Red Cross proposed to equip and maintain the institution
for one year. This fell through. The Borough Council then decided
to enquire as to suitable premises in the Borough. The Committee
visited and examined the Hospital Supply Depot and Red Cross hall
adjoining, at the corner of Breakspears Road, but as the County
Council purchased this for a definite educational purpose, they were
unwilling to sell it. They agreed to let the premises to the Borough
Council, but as the probable period of tenancy was only for a matter of
six months, it became necessary to seek for another building.
Brockley Lodge, in Upper Brockley Road, next attracted attention
but in the valuers' opinion the price was not satisfactory. Still another
building was examined before the Committee finally settled on
Waltham House, 52 Wickham Road. The cost of acquiring the
premises, £1,800, included certain fixtures. The cost of conversion
was carefully gone into, and it was agreed that there would be
accommodation for twelve beds or twenty cases a month. Many