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Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
109
Consultation and Treatment Centres.
As no treatment is given at the various Infant Welfare
Centres, children are sent to suitable hospitals or to private
doctors. The principal diseases found were affections of the
eyes, ears, throat or skin, advanced cases of rickets and the like.
Maternity Homes.
There are 38 private maternitv homes in the Borough, four
of which are carried on by practising midwives. During the
greater part of the year expectant mothers were sent either to
the Clapham Maternity Hosptal or to any similar institution
where there is accommodation, the Council defraying the cost of
£2 per week up to £6. Patients so sent were asked to pay 30s.
the amount of the maternity benefit under the National Insurance
Act, but in cases of extreme necessity this payment was remitted.
Eleven mothers were sent to maternity homes during the
year.
The new Maternity Home, situated at Park Hill, Beechcroft
Road, Upper Tooting, was opened by the Mayoress, Mrs.
Cooper Rawson, on the 4th November, 1920.
The building was purchased as a Borough War Memorial,
the amount required being raised by voluntary subscription. It
is maintained by the Borough Council, and is under the direct
control of the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee. The
Medical Officer of Health, and under him the matron, is responsible
for the administrative control, subject to the supervision of
a Home Committee appointed by the Maternity and Child Welfare
Committee.
The premises are most suitable for the purpose and after
certain alterations had been carried out, accommodation for 23
beds was provided.
The details of furnishing and equipment were worked our
with some care, and every appliance deemed necessary has been
provided.