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A complete sterilising plant) is provided in a room
adjacent to the labour rooms. It comprises a mattress
and dressing- steriliser, howl steriliser and instrument
steriliser; in addition there is a combined bed pan washer
and steriliser in each sluice room. The whole of the
sterilising units are operated by steam supplied by the
steam boiler.
The kitchen is completely equipped for gas cooking;
it has steam operated hot closets and a steam vegetable
boiler, with an electrical refrigerator in one of the
larders.
The buildings are provided with electrical lightiag
augmented by an emergency lighting battery plant which
automatically provides artificial light in the labour rooms
in the event of a failure in the electrical system. The
installation also provides for electric heating in all
rooms and corridors as a supplementary system to the
central heating. Points are also provided for electric
fans, sweepers, cleaners, etc. Each ward and the principal
staff rooms are wired for wireless; loudspeakers and
electric synchronised clocks are provided in the most advantageous
positions. A system of electric bells links
up all the wards with the duty rooms and the kitchen
and staff rooms.
The home is furnished and equipped on lines in
ke&ping with the modern ideas incorporated in the building,
with a view both to the efficient working of the home
and the comfort of patients and staff.
The home is administered by the Medical Officer of
Health as the Medical Superintendent. Any mother
may arrange for her own doctor to attend her in the
home or for the nursing staff to attend her, and there
is a medical officer who assists the Medical Superintendent,
and who can be called to a patient who has not
arranged for a private doctor. The Council's Obstetric
Consultant acts as consultant to the home, and is available
where necessary for all patients.
To overcome difficulties of transport arising from
the situation of the home in one corner of the district,
the Council's Ambulance may be booked to take the
patient to the home by the payment of 5s. at the time
of booking. Further, mothers are able to attend any of
the Council's ante-natal clinics for their examinations,
saving the longer journey to the home where necessary,
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