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25
The cases attended by the midwives were as follows :
(a) As midwife 696
(b) As maternity nurse 116
During the year the fee for the attendance of a midwife was
increased to £3. 10s. 0d. This is an inclusive fee covering the
attendance of the midwife, the attendance of a doctor if his services
are required by the midwife, the attendance of a consultant if
required by the doctor, the provision of gas and air analgesia and
the issue of a sterilised accouchement set. Special equipment for
the care of premature babies is also available. The fee, of course,
can be reduced in cases of necessity. The Council also decided to
accept vouchers issued by the Hospital Saving Association and the
Hospital Saturday Fund, the voucher entitling the patient to the
services of the midwife without further payment to the Council
other than that made by the Association. A fixed amount of
£1. 12s. 6d. is received in respect of each voucher.
Housing accommodation for new staff has been a difficult
problem. The essential need that there should be an adequate
staff of qualified midwives living in appropriate areas of the
borough has, however, now been recognised by the Council, which
has provided through the Housing Department, accommodation
for four of the midwives. The London County Council have also
agreed to rent to the Council accommodation for the midwife
serving the Cuckoo Estate. In all these cases the midwife pays
rent for the premises in accordance with the recommendations of
the Midwives Salaries Committee.
The Council have agreed that any midwife providing a car,
or auto-cycle, for her official duties, should be paid an appropriate
allowance. By the end of the year, however, none of the midwives
had availed themselves of this offer. The purchase of a staff car
for the Public Health Department, with the midwifery service
having first claim on its use, has also been authorised. Difficulty
has been experienced, however, in obtaining delivery of a suitable
vehicle.

DOMESTIC HELP SERVICE.
Home helps have been provided for maternity cases since the
maternity and child welfare scheme was first started in 1919.