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42
It will be seen that the estimated cost for a full year is £2,701, from
which will be deducted the income from the patients, leaving £1,801 towards
which a grant will be received from the Exchequer. The amount of the
Exchequer grant will be approximately 40 per cent, of the additional expenditure
incurred by the provision of the new service. Which means an approximate
net cost of £1,081.
In addition to the estimated cost of the new service there is the amount
entailed in the granting of compensation to midwives surrendering their
certificates either voluntarily or compulsorily. It is difficult to estimate the
amount of this compensation until it is known how many midwives will
surrender their certificates, but it is expenditure that will not recur after
the expiration of 3 years from the commencement of the Act, namely, after
30th July, 1939. Half of the amount of this compensation will be repaid
our of Exchequer funds.
A general idea of the amount of compensation that might have to be
paid to midwives surrendering their certificates may be obtained bv taking
the total number of cases attended by midwives in the district in 1935,
subtracting from this the number of cases attended by midwives who might
be appointed by the Council and calculating an average income from each
case as £2. 0s. Od. This gives the annual emoluments of all the midwives
Who might have to be compensated and by multiplying this figure by three
it gives the maximum amount of compensation that might have to be paid.
Total cases attended by Midwives in 1935 689
Total cases attended by Midwives who might be appointed
by the Council 441
Total cases attended by Midwives Who might be compensated
248
Allowing £2. 0s. Od. per case it means total emoluments
in year £496
Three times this figure as compensation £1,488
Moiety refunded by Exchequer £744
Maximum net cost of compensation to Council £744
Date of Commencement of the new Service.
It is the duty of the local authority to carry its proposals into effect
not later than the 30th July. 1937, or such later date as the Minister of Health
may allow. Since there are no voluntary organisations to appeal against
the scheme it may be brought into operation as soon as the necessary arrangements
and appointments can be made, regard being had to the fact that
one month's notice must be given of the intention of the Council first to
engage midwives in the new Service.
Summary of Recommendations.
1. The appointment of nine whole-time certified midwives, two of
whom to be teachers approved by the Central Midwives Board.
2. The salaries to be on a similar footing to those paid to Health
Visitors and School Nurses (Grade Bl) of £200 to £300 by £10 per annum,
increments to be subject to a special recommendation by the Maternity
and Child Welfare Committee, with an additional £25 to approved teachers
employed in instructing pupil midwives.