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57
Provision of Beds for Maternity Cases.
By arrangement with the London County Council eight maternity beds are available for
St. Pancras cases at the University College Hospital.
These beds are filled by cases referred to the hospital by the Borough Council, and the
London County Council pay an agreed sum for their retention.
188 cases were accommodated during 1947.
Invalid Children's Aid Association.
Under this scheme assistance is rendered towards the cost of convalescence of St. Pancras
children under the age of 5 years, with a maximum of 70 cases per annum. The financial
arrangements provide for a payment of 75 per cent. of the amount outstanding after allowing
for any payments by parents. During 1947, 42 children were so assisted at a cost to the Council
of £410 8s. 2d.
Home and Domestic Helps.
In May the Council authorised the employment of a maximum of ten home and domestic
helps, but it was not found possible to obtain this number of persons. Towards the end of the
year conditions of employment were improved and publicity was given to the need for increasing
the value of this service; and at the time of writing this report the Council has in its employ
35 full-time home helps and ten part-time.
The scale of charge is as follows, but in St. Pancras it is very seldom found that the full
payment is made:—
Scale of Assessment.
From the gross income of the applicant or husband there is to be deducted rent
and rates up to 30s. and compulsory insurance, then personal allowance of 15s. for each
adult included and 7s. 6d. for each dependent child; children and other members of the
family living at home (and earning) not to be counted as members of the family for the
purpose of the scale and their incomes to be omitted. Members of the Forces to be
included in number of family but their personal allowance to be excluded from the
family income. The net remaining income to be assessed accordingly and the weekly
payment to be made by the applicant to consist of:—
One-third of the first £ of net income;
One-half of the second and third £ of net income;
Two-thirds of remainder of net income.
(In no case shall the assessment exceed the cost of the domestic help provided. Minimum
amount to be recovered, 1s.).
The Home Help service is one which needs very careful supervision if it is to be entirely
successful, and it has been necessary to increase the staff to make this possible.
In due course it is hoped that the home help will be regarded as a permanent established
servant of a local health authority and that before being employed she will be trained in practical
and scientific housewifery.
158 cases were cared for under this scheme during the year.