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question may be asked "Why make provision for future extension of
the Alexandra Maternity Home on the first and second floors?". A
good reason is that nine of the 25 lying-in beds are in a building
which was "temporary" in the 1914-18 war but still provides
comfortable accommodation. However, it cannot be expectcd to last
for ever.
Then a portion of the staff is now housed at 2, Alexandra Park
Road and it would be more convenient to have them in the main
building. The first floor of the new wing would replace the
temporary annexe and the second floor would provide ample
accemmodation for all the staff required. Space has been provided
on the ground floor for a stairway and lift to these upper floors
when built.
Another reason, not so good, is that in July 1948 Under the
National Health Services Act the Alexandra Maternity Home will be
transferred to the North Western Metropolitan Regional Hospital
Board and and will no doubt serve an area larger than Hornsey
At the same time, the Maternity and Child Welfare Centres, where
the Ante-natal and Post-natal Clinics are held, and the Domiciliary
Midwives. will be transferred to the Local Health Authority
(Middlesex County Council).
The Midwifery Service of the Borough, which the Council has
striven for many years to develop and unify, is, at a time when
the greatest measure of success has been achieved, threatened with
dual and distant control.
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