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In consideration of a further payment at the rate of £100 per annum, the Hospital Authorities have
agreed to provide the part-time services of an almoner for duties in connection with the assessment
and collection of charges for the use of the maternity wards.
During the year, 248 women were delivered in the wards, 1 of whom died subsequently in an
Isolation Hospital of Haemolytic Streptococcal Septicaemia. One case of puerperal fever and 1 of
puerperal pyrexia were notified. There were 11 stillbirths, and 4 deaths within 10 days of birth.
The payments made by patients admitted, or accepted for admission, to the wards amounted to
£694 7s. 3d. for the year.
Midwifery Service.—In March, 1932, the Council authorised the Maternity and Child Welfare
Committee to make arrangements for the provision of a qualified midwife to attend emergency maternity
cases at an estimated cost of £10 per annum. This service is undertaken by the Paddington and St.
Marylebone District Nursing Association at a fee of 30s. per case. Two patients were attended, and
10s. was recovered from 1 case towards the cost.
Under a further arrangement the midwifery staff of the Nursing Association attend, on behalf of
the Council, certain women in their own homes who, for various reasons, are unable to go to an
institution for their confinements. Payment is made at the rate of £3 3s. Od. per case, the whole or
part of the cost being recovered from the patients. During 1934, 15 cases were attended, the patients'
contributions collected to the end of the year amounting to £20 11s. 6d.
Maternity Consultations.—On 1 occasion the services of an obstetric consultant were requisitioned
on account of complications associated with a case of parturition.
Baby Hospital, Ladbroke Square.—The Council, on the 21st March, 1933, decided to make
provision of four beds at the Baby Hospital, Ladbroke Square, for the reception of ailing infants
recommended for treatment there by the Medical Officers of the Council's Welfare Centres, at a cost
of £400 per annum. The beds became available on the 1st May in that year.
Thirty-one (31) children were admitted during the year and 1 re-admitted, the periods of treatment
ranging from 22 weeks to a few days. Eight (8) deaths occurred amongst these patients.
Special attention is paid by the Health Visitors, etc., to children after their discharge and
periodical reports are submitted to the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee.
Every case admitted is reported to the Grants Sub-Committee and where considered necessary the
parents are assessed to pay a small weekly sum towards the cost of maintenance, etc., in Hospital.
The total sum recovered during the 12 months amounted to £4 4s. 6d.
Maternity Outfits.—Supplies of Maternity Outfits have been made available for confinement
at home of necessitous women. In some instances the total cost (5s. 11d.) has been repaid by the
recipient, but grants have been made in most cases by the appropriate Committee towards the cost.
The total amount recovered from patients during the year has been £3 13s. 6d.
Beauchamp Lodge Emergency Home for Children.—In 1 instance a child was admitted for two weeks
to this Home whilst the mother was in hospital. The charge, therefor, was 12s. 6d. per week towards
which 3s. 9d. per week was paid by the parent.
Contraceptive Advice.—In June, 1934, the Council decided that arrangements be made with the
North Kensington Women's Welfare Centre for the giving of contraceptive advice to expectant and
nursing mothers who are married and who are already in attendance at a maternity and child welfare
centre of the Council, such advice to be given only in cases where another pregnancy would be
detrimental to health. The recommendations of the medical officers of the Centres are submitted to
the appropriate Sub-Committee and where considered necessary, grants towards the cost of the advice
(10s. 6d.) are made. During the year 7 women were referred to the Centre for advice, the cost in each
case being borne by the Council.
DAY NURSERIES.
At the end of the year 1934, there were two Day Nurseries in Paddington, situated at No. 66:
Lancefield Street, Queen's Park, W. 10, and No. 21, Howley Place, W. 2.