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34
The following scale has been adopted by the Council for the assessment of cases for admission to
the maternity wards, subject to such variation as the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee deem
necessary or desirable, having regard to the financial position of the family. The charges specified
are based on the assumption that the applicant will receive one maternity benefit only, and that the
family consists of not more than one child:—

Note. — Assessments are made in accordance with the above where only one maternity benefit is expected.
Where there is no maternity benefit a reduction will be made, but where two are payable an
increase of the scale is made where deemed nectssary.
The duties of Maternity Wards Almoner are carried out by Miss Hill, one of the Council's
Health Visiting staff.
During the year, 289 women were delivered in the wards. One case of puerperal fever and 3 of
puerperal pyrexia were notified. There were 12 stillbirths, and 6 deaths within 10 days of birth.
The payments made by patients admitted, or accepted for admission, to the wards amounted to
£620 16s. Od. for the year.
Midwifery Service.—In March, 1932, the Council authorised arrangements for the provision
of a qualified midwife by the Paddington and St. Marylebone District Nursing Association to attend
emergency maternity cases at a fee of 30s. per case. There were no emergency cases during 1936.
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 1936, 44 cases were attended, tihe
patients' contributions collected to the end of the year amounting to £38 12s. Od.
Maternity Consultations.—Mr. Douglas H. MacLeod, F.R.C.S., succeeded Mr. Aleck W. Bourne,
F.R.C.S., as obstetric consultant in February, 1936, and he was called into consultation on one
occasion during the year.
Maternity Outfits.—Supplies of Maternity Outfits have been made available for confinement
at home of necessitous women. In some instances the total cost (4s. (6d.) 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 £10 l1s. Od.
Home Helps.—In 1935 the Council approved a Scheme for the provision of Home Helps for
parturient women, and of grants in aid thereof, the assessment of such grants being based on the
income of the patient's family, the balance necessary to complete the Home Help's remuneration
being paid by the patient. Six Helps were allocated during the year, and the grants made by the
Council towards their remuneration totalled £6 10s. Od. The duties of Home Helps are as
follow:—
1. To act under the direct supervision of the Superintendent Health Visitor or iher
Deputy.
2. To be at hand at the time of labour and confinement and at the onset of labour to
immediately summon the Doctor or Midwife; to see that the patient's room is clean and every
thing in readiness for the arrival of the Doctor or Midwife. The Home Help is not responsible
for the confinement itself, nor must she interfere in any way with the instructions of the
Doctor or Midwife.
3. After the confinement, to remove all soiled linen from the patient's room, and to care
for her generally, especially as regards cleanliness and food.