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32
During the year under review-
168 cases were dealt with by the Social Worker;
41 cases were admitted to Hostels;
4 cases were temporarily accommodated at Glazier House
(The Croydon Home of the Moral Welfare Association)
The Committee agreed to meet financial responsibility for
the stay of unmarried mothers in Mother and Baby Homes for a
period of three months except for girls up to 18 years of age,
for whom the period would be extended to cover a total of six
months and such assistance was given in 25 cases. These younger
mothers would normally go to Homes specialising in their care.
MIDWIFERY SERVICE
The Corporation employ directly a Superintendent and 19
Domiciliary Midwives. The Midwives are recognised by the Central
Midwives Board to train pupils for the second three months of
their Part II C. M. B. training. This scheme operates in conjunction
with St. Mary's Maternity Hospital where the first three
months of pupil training is carried out.
The Domiciliary Midwives have their headquarters in the
Ante- and Post-Natal Clinic premises which adjoins the hospital
and very close integration of teaching is thus possible.
The Corporation have continued to encourage Midwives to
have a motor car for their work and two vehicles were purchased
and issued to those Midwives who preferred not to buy their own.
It remains the wish of the majority of mothers to have
their confinement in hospital. When it is remembered that
official policy between the wars was the provision of maternity
units for normal confinements; and the great convenience for an
expectant mother to leave the planning of the confinement almost
entirely to others, with no resulting expense to herself; ttie
demand for hospital accommodation is readily understood.
On the other hand, having dealt with the apparent difficulties
of domestic arrangements, mothers who experience both
types of confinement, have little doubt of their preference to
remain at home. With an obstetric service making a careful
selection of the place of confinement on medical grounds and