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33
In consideration of a further payment at the rate of £100 per annum, the Hospital Authorities
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. This arrangement ceased on the 31st
March, 1935, and since that date the duties of the Maternity Wards Almoner have been allocated to
Miss Hill, one of the Council's Health Visiting Staff.
During the year, 274 women were delivered in the wards. Two cases of puerperal fever and 7 of
puerperal pyrexia were notified. There were 6 stillbirths, and 5 deaths within 10 days of birth.
The payments made by patients admitted, or accepted for admission, to the wards amounted to
£647 0s. 0d. 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. One patient was attended, the
charge being met by the Council.
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. 0d. per case, the whole or
part of the cost being recovered from the patients. During 1935, 36 cases were attended, the patients'
contributions collected to the end of the year amounting to £43 0s. 6d.
Maternity Consultations.—On 2 occasions the services of an obstetric consultant were requisitioned
on account of complications associated with cases of parturition.
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 £6 4s. 1d.
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.) are made. During the year 39 necessitous women were referred to the Centre for advice, the
cost in each case being borne by the Council.
X-Ray Examinations.—Arrangements were made during the year with the Paddington Tuberculosis
Dispensary for the use of their facilities for X-ray examinations of expectant mothers and
of children attending the Ante-natal and Welfare Centres. 14 examinations were made during the
year, 7 being of expectant mothers and 7 of children, the fee for the former cases being 15s. and
for the latter 7s. 6d. per patient.
Unmarried Mothers and Their Children.—With a view to securing closer supervision of unmarried
mothers in the early days of motherhood and where desirable affording facilities for breast
feeding of their infante, the co-operation of the Paddington and St. Marylebone Ladies Association
for Rescue and Preventive Work has been enlisted and the Council make grants to the Association
towards the cost of detaining in their Homes for varying periods such unmarried mothers and their
babies. Three cases were assisted during the year by grants amounting to £12 18s. 0d.
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. On the 1st April the
number of beds was reduced to 2, and the grant therefor to £200 per annum.
Ten (10) children were admitted during the year, and one re-admitted, the periods of treatment
ranging from 24 weeks to 2 weeks. One (1) death occurred amongst these patients.
Special attention is paid by the Medical Officers of Centres, and the Health Visitors, etc., to
children after their discharge.
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 £2 16s. 6d.
Beauchamp Lodge Emergency Home for Children.—Arrangements can be made for the admission
of children to this home whilst the mothers are in hospital. The charge therefor is 12s. 6d. per
week per child. In no case during the year was it necessary to take advantage of the facilities.