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41
there is suitable accommodation for them, but a number of private
cases have had to be refused owing to want of accommodation.
The great majority of the Mothers who enter the Home have
attended the Clinics for Expectant Mothers at Beckenham or
Penge.
The fees charged are as follows:—Mothers who attend the
Clinics and who are entitled to Maternity Benefit, £2 for the lying-in
period of 14 days, which may be extended to 21 days on the recommendation
of the Medical Supervisor or the Matron without further
charge. That is to say, the fee is equal to the amount of Maternity
Benefit. Mothers whp do not apply through the Clinics are charged
at the rate of 2 to 5 guineas per week, depending on their circumstances.
The Joint Committee may not make any charge in the case of
very poor persons.
The expenses pf the Home are allocated as between the two
Districts as follows. Capital Expenditure and the cost of maintenance
of staff are allocated in proportion to the rateable value of
the Districts; this works out approximately at three-fifths for Beckenham
and two-fifths for Penge. The cost of maintenance of patients
is borne by the District in which the patients reside.
From August 1st to December 31st there were 31 patients
admitted, 23 from Beckenham and 8 from Penge.
Judging from the popularity of the Home amongst the mothers
and the number of advanced bookings to date, there is evidently a
need for a Home of this character. I had some doubt before the
Home was opened as to whether we could find enough applicants
to keep 10 beds going, but it would now appear that it may be
necessary to enlarge the accommodation.
It is estimated that there will be 120 confinements in the first
twelve months.