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(A) That for reasons connected with situation, construction, accommodation,
staffing or equipment, the home or any premises
used in connection therewith are not fit to be used for a
maternity home, or that the home or the premises are used or
to be used for purposes which are in any way improper or
undesirable in the case of a maternity home.
In London, the London County Council is constituted the Local
Supervising Authority, and this appears to me to be a matter for regret,
because, while the whole service arising out of the Notification of Births
Act and the Maternity and Child Welfare Act is entirely in the hands
of Borough Councils, those Councils have no part in this and such other
ancillary work as the inspection of boarded-out children, and lying-in
homes, or the supervision of midwives—all of which is in the hands of
the County Council.
Maternity Homes ami Hospitals.—The Borough Council subscribes
£1 for every Hampstead mother confined in Queen Charlotte's
Hospital; and receives a hospital letter for every £6 so subscribed.
This arrangement has been in operation since 1919. During 1926, 101
women from the Borough were thus accommodated, in pursuance of this
agreement.
New End Hospital.—The Borough Council have made an arrangement
with the Guardians whereby a Ward is reserved for Council
patients. The Ward contains five beds, which are available for married
women only. During the year the number of patients who occupied
these beds was 43. The general run of the patients up to now has
been of a lower social scale than was at first anticipated. Of the 43
cases admitted, 32 paid £1 11s. 6d., 10 paid £2 2s. 0d., and 1 paid
£3 3s. 0d.
In the original scheme at the beginning of 1925, it was estimated
that 78 was the approximate number of patients per annum who would
use these beds and each contribute £2 2s. Od. per week. The actual
number during last year was 43, and their average payment was
£1 19s. 6d. per week.
The patients, who are admitted without the intervention of the
Relieving Officer, receive treatment from the Medical Superintendent
of the Hospital, and contribute to the cost of their treatment according