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possible spread of infection. Three applications were granted
and a sum of £14 4s. paid.
Prior to the inception of the new scheme, members of the rota
of private practitioners were called into consultation on three
occasions during the year.
Accommodation for Confinement.

The Maternity Block at Mayday Road.
Under the provisions of the Local Government Act, 1929,
which came into force on April 1st, 1930, the Mayday Road
Hospital passed under the control of the Public Assistance Committee
of the Council. The new scheme to bring about co-ordination
between the various spheres of Maternity and Child Welfare
activity, both municipal and voluntary, linked that portion of the
hospital devoted to Maternity to the Health Department. A
specialist obstetrician, who is also an Assistant M.O.H., resides
at Mayday Road Hospital and is responsible, under the Medical
Superintendent, for the conduction of all work in the Maternity
Wards. In addition, in order to do away with any necessity for
application to be made to a male relieving officer by a prospective
patient, the Lady Almoner of the Health Department, appointed
under the scheme referred to, is for the purposes of maternity, a
relieving officer. The Ante-Natal Clinic, which was formerly
held independently at the Mayday Road Hospital, was amalgamated
with the Council's Ante-Natal Clinic at Lodge Road. Any
patient attending the Ante-Natal Clinic is seen by the Almoner
and, if institutional treatment is desired, is allocated either to St.
Mary's Hospital or Mayday Road Hospital, according to the
patient's wishes. Enquiries into income and assessment of payments
is also undertaken bv the Almoner.
There are two wards in the Maternity Block, with 10 beds in
each. The accommodation is not very modern, and the labour
room in particular needs bringing up to date bv the provision of
proper sterilizing apparatus and better facilities for washing. One
or more single bedded wards would also be a great advantage.
The hospital is a training school for midwives.