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49
on the grounds that the person registered was not a fit person and that the home
was not fit to be used as a nursing home ; and in the others, at the request of the
persons registered and/or upon change of ownership. There were 32 applications
for registration during the year, of which, at the end of the year, 8 had been withdrawn
and 13 granted.
The general considerations taken into account by the Council in administering
the Act are fully described in the Annual Report for 1930 (Vol. Ill (Part I), pp. 53-54).
In 1931 the Council granted 119 exemptions, and refused one exemption, from
the provisions of the Nursing Homes Registration Act, 1927, in respect of premises
not oonducted for profit. These exemptions were for a period due to expire on
30th June, 1932, after which date the exemption may be renewed at the discretion
of the Council from year to year.
Despite considerable hardship in many cases owing to financial stringency, the
homes have on the whole been satisfactory, and considerable improvement in the
general cleanliness and orderliness and in the staff of the homes has been secured.
It is anticipated that this improvement will be maintained, especially as the less
satisfactory older homes will gradually close or come under new management. In
the latter event they will be subject to re-registration and will be required to fulfil
all the requirements for a new home.
Maternity
and childwelfare
work
by voluntary
associations.
Under the scheme made by the Minister of Health under section 101 (6) of the
Local Government Act, 1929, and continuing in force from 1st April, 1930, to 31st
March, 1933, subject to any alteration which may be made by the Minister of Health
under section 131 (2) of that Act, the Council is responsible for the payment of grants
to 57 maternity and child-welfare associations. Similar grants are payable by the
various metropolitan borough councils to other child-welfare associations in their
boroughs. The money for these grants is contained in the block grant payable
by the Ministry of Health to the councils concerned. The amount payable by the
Council in 1931 was £33,064 for the year 1931-2. These grants are only payable
on the conditions (inter alia):—
(i) That the Council is satisfied as to the efficiency of the maternity and
child-welfare service provided by the association in respect of which the contribution
is payable, and that such service is being used by a reasonable number
of those persons for whom it is provided ;
(ii) That no reduction or alteration of such service is made without the
consent of the Council.
It is necessary therefore that these associations should be inspected from time to
time by the Council's officers. This work is carried out by the medical staff employed
on work under the Nursing Homes Registration Act, while occasionally it also involves
the employment of a sanitary inspector, who is detailed by the chief inspector from
amongst his staff.
In the course of the year three mother and baby homes were closed, two for
financial reasons and one on account of insufficient inmates. The patients remaining
at the time of the closing of these homes were transferred to other homes.
Two homes under the control of one association were amalgamated, and the
mother and baby home service is now being carried out at new premises.
An increase in the amount of the grant to one baby home was sanctioned by
the Minister of Health.
Children Act,
1908.
The Annual Report for the year 1921 indicated fully the powers of the Council
under the Children Act, 1908, Part I, with regard to infant life protection. Qualified
nurses carry out the work of inspection and act as visitors under the Act. During
the year one inspector retired, and the vacancy was not filled in view of the fact
that the number of foster children under supervision had decreased from 2,921 in
1923 (when the staff was established at 14) to 2,548 in 1930.