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GRANTS AND ASSESSMENTS: NURSERY ADMINISTRATION.—Prior to the outbreak of War it was the practice
for all assessments in respect of services provided by the Council free or at a reduced rate to be made by a "Grants"
Sub-Committee whose decisions were submitted to the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee for approval. It was
felt that the time had now arrived when this procedure might advantageously be resumed, and a sub-committee of
five members was therefore appointed with the following terms of reference:—To consider and make recommendations
(i) upon all matters relating to the administration of the day nurseries and (ii) in relation to applications received for
those welfare services for which an assessment falls to be made in accordance with the scales approved by the Council
from time to time.
The first meeting of the Sub-Committee was held on the 31st December.
MATERNITY BEDS.—Under an agreement with the Board of Management of St. Mary's Hospital four beds are
reserved for patients accepted for admission by the Borough Council at a charge of 15s. 0d. per day per bed, whether
occupied or not. Any additional beds which may be needed are available at the same rate. Patients are assessed
according to means.
The usual period of stay has hitherto been 14 days but having regard to the acute shortage of maternity accommodation
generally, the Council agreed during the year to a request from the Board of Management for a modification of
that arrangement in order to permit of normal cases being discharged, at the discretion of the Medical Officer of the
hospital, after a period of 10 days.
During the year 115 (87) women were delivered in these beds. There were 5 (1) stillbirths and no deaths within
10 days of birth.
OBSTETRIC CONSULTANT.—Mr. Douglas H. MacLeod, M.S., F.R.C.S., continued to act as obstetric consultant
but no request for his services was received during the year.
EMERGENCY OBSTETRIC SERVICE.—This service is provided by the London County Council. Its object is to deal
with acute obstetric emergencies in connection with patients who cannot be moved to hospital without undue risk
and whose cases cannot adequately be dealt with by the Borough Obstetric Consultant. It is not intended to be used
as an alternative to treatment in hospital, but solely in cases where the patient's condition is so grave that removal to
hospital would be dangerous. The emergency unit has available the necessary apparatus for carrying out blood
transfusion. The fee payable to the London Council is £5 5s. 0d. per patient.
The facilities were utilised in 4 (—) instances.
HOME HELP SERVICE.—At the end of the year 25 (19) women were employed full-time in connection with the Council's
arrangements for the provision of help in the home during confinement or illness, supplemented by casual part-time
women. Assistance was provided in 300 (217) cases, comprising 126 (150) maternity patients and 174 (67) cases where
domestic help was needed on account of illness. Patients are assessed for payment in accordance with the scales
recommended by the Metropolitan Boroughs' Standing Joint Committee.
Provision is also made for carrying out the domestic washing of expectant or recently confined mothers, but use was
not made of these facilities during the year.