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accommodation for children in time of emergency. I can well imagine the boon
that is to a household in which the mother is seized with a sudden illness. I feel
sure the centre will prove a real asset to the mothers and children of Westminster—the
City so closely associated with our own home—and I have great
pleasure in declaring the building open. May it bring health and happiness to
all who come within its doors."
A description of the building and its purposes has been given in former reports.
The building has been a centre of interest to various bodies concerned in Maternity
and Child Welfare, both at home and abroad. A large number of visitors representing
local authorities, and private individuals, many of them distinguished in voluntary
public service, have inspected the building. The City Council has been complimented
on all sides for this notable contribution to the cause of maternity and child
welfare.
Midwives Act, 1936.
The London County Council scheme providing a whole time service of salaried
midwives came into force on January 1st, 1938. The County Council did not deem it
necessary to appoint any whole time municipal midwife in Westminster nor did it
in any measure alter the City Council's own midwifery organisation. The only
change was that the County Council, as required by statute, entered into formal
agreements with the two voluntary associations already carrying out district midwifery
throughout the City under the aegis of the City Council. These two associations,
Westminster Hospital and the Westminster Health Society, are now directly
responsible to the London County Council for district midwifery, but the latter has
considered the City Council in every possible respect. Not only has it allowed the
City Council's own scheme (complete with hospital beds, consultants for doctors and
midwives, &c.) to operate as before, but the City Council's Public Health Committee
has been permitted to continue the assessment of patient's contributions as it has
been doing for over 20 years, and those contributions will be paid to the associations
as heretofore. The introduction of new administration to an existing scheme has been
achieved without any element of discord or hitch. This is a tribute to the gracious
and understanding attitude of the London County Council and its officers and to the
efficiency of the City Council's existing midwifery services.
Children under School Age.
The arrangements referred to in last year's report for the treatment of physical
defects and minor ailments were completed and are in operation. Facilities at the
School treatment centres in Castle Street, Drury Lane, Gerrard Street, Greencoat
Place and Rochester Row are being used, while the Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital,
Golden Square, and the Infants' Hospital are available for ear, nose and throat cases,
the latter hospital also functioning as a consultation centre for cases requiring special
investigation.
At the centres 677 or 66 per cent. of infants of Westminster parents attended
during 1937, while 83.6 per cent. of the mothers attended.
Maternal Mortality.
In 1936 only one woman died ; an abortion case. In 1937 nine women lost their
lives from various causes connected with pregnancy. These cases are fully discussed
in the report and it would appear from facts elicited that except in the abortion cases
there was no lack of skilled attention throughout the pregnancies.