London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
London County Council 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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The general considerations taken into account by the Council in connection
with registration of nursing homes are fully described in the Annual Report for 1930
(Vol. III, Part I, pp. 53-54).
In 1937 the Council granted 113 exemptions from the provisions of Part XI of
the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, in respect of premises not conducted for profit.
These exemptions are for a period due to expire on 30th June, 1938 ; the exemption
may be renewed at the discretion of the Council from year to year.
The homes have on the whole been satisfactorily conducted. Improvement
in the cleanliness, general orderliness and in the staffing of homes has continued.
Some of the older homes have closed or have changed ownership. Upon
change of ownership the new owners were required to fulfil the requirements for a
" new " home.
The following information concerning midwifery and maternity work undertaken in registered nursing homes was obtained :—
| 1934 | 1935 | 1936 | 1937 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of registered nursing homes with maternity beds | 150 | 150 | 132 | 117 |
| Number of beds provided lor maternity patients in such nursing homes | 1,299 | 1,310 | 1,234 | 1,146 |
| Number of births in such nursing homes :— | ||||
| with doctor engaged to attend | 2,797 | 2,954 | 3,020 | 2,870 |
| with State certified midwife (no doctor being in attendance) | 899 | 1,174 | 848 | 446 |
| with State certified midwife and doctor summoned in emergency by the midwife | 99 | 98 | 86 | 124 |
| Total | 3,795 | 4,226 | 3,954 | 3,440 |
Midwifery in
registered
nursing
homes
The Maternity and Child Welfare Contributions (London) Scheme, 1937, for the
five years from 1st April, 1937, to 31st March, 1942, provides for payment by the
Council of grants in each of the financial years 1937-38, 1938-39, 1939-40, 1940-41,
1941-42, to 49 voluntary associations. The scheme provides for payment by the
Council of grants amounting to £31,486 in the year 1937-38.
Maternity
and child
welfare work
by voluntary
associations
The grants are 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 performed by the medical staff engaged
on work in connection with the registration of nursing homes, while it also involves
the employment of a sanitary inspector, who is detailed by the chief inspector from
among his staff.
In the course of the year one mother and baby home was closed on account
of the expiration of the lease and for financial reasons. Another home was closed
but the mother and baby home service was transferred to other premises.
An increase for one year only in the amount of grant to one baby home was
authorised.