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Terms on which the Guardians provide the necessary accommodation and staff.
The principal items in the agreement between the two authorities in regard to the Maternity
Home are as follow:—
(1) That the scheme be put cn trial experimentally for a period of six months in the first
instance.
(2) That the Guardians do not incur any capital expenditure in connection with the
scheme.
(3) That the Medical Superintendent of St. Mary Abbot's Hospital be authorised to
obtain any further medical and non-resident nursing assistance that may be required.
(4) That for each maternity case admitted a charge be made upon the Borough Council
at the rate of 5/- per day, in addition to the cost of the additional medical staff, if
any, and the extra nursing staff required.
(5) That cases be admitted to the Maternity Home upon the recommendation of the
Medical Officer of Health and the Medical Superintendent of St. Mary Abbot's
Hospital.
The details of the scheme, which was finally approved by the Ministry of Health, are as
follow:—
Admission of Patients.
Expectant mothers attending Kensington Infant Welfare Institutions make application for
admission to the Maternity Home to the Sister at the Infant Welfare Centre they attend.
Expectant mothers not in attendance at Infant Welfare Institutions must make
application at a Welfare Centre or apply to the Medical Officer of Health, Town Hall,
Kensington, W.8.
After the printed application form has been filled in, the patient is referred to the
ante-natal doctor at the Infant Welfare Centre of the area in which she resides, for report and
recommendation. The ante-natal doctor makes observations in the space provided on the
application form, and, after such further enquiries as are indicated, the form is sent to the Medical
Officer of Health. Any patient who does not desire to attend a Welfare Centre can have the
ante-natal report filled in by her own physician. After review by the Medical Officer of Health,
the applications are placed before the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee who recommend
admission to the Home in suitable cases.
When the application is accapted, the patient is notified by letter that a bed will be available
for her at or about the time of her expected confinement. Other particulars in regard to
admission are forwarded to her at the same time. The Sister of the Welfare Institution is also
informed and asked to assist the mother in making preparations to enter the Home.
Charges.
The following is the scale of maximum fees payable, but in each case the Maternity and Child
Welfare Committee consider the circumstances of the family and make such reduction of the fees
to be paid as the financial position of the family indicates to be necessary or desirable.
Amount of Family Income after deducting
Rent and Insurances Charges per week
Under £2 Os. Od. To be fixed by Committee
Between £2 Os. Od. and £2 10s. Od. £1 l1s. 6d.
£2 10s. Od. and £3 Os. Od. £2 2s. Od.
„ £3 Os. Od. and £3 10s. 0d £2 12s. 6d.
£3 10s. Od. and £4 Os. Od. £3 3s. Od.
Note.—The above charges are based on the assumption that applicants receive one Maternity Benefit only, and that the
family consists of not more than one child.
The charges are increased by 10s. Gd.,
if husband and wife are both eligible for Maternity Benefit;
and decreased by 10s. 6d. (subject to a minimum charge of £1 lis. 6d. per week for all groups
except incomes under £2),
(a) if neither husband nor wife is eligible for Maternity Benefit, or,and
(b) the family consists of more than one child.
Collection of Fees.
(a) Mothers in regular attendance at Infant Welfare Centres.
A lady nominated by the Committee of the Infant Welfare Centre collects the contributions
of patients recommended for admission from that Institution and pays the amounts collected to
the Borough Council.