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per case for each attendance of the mothers and infants at their centre. A very
high figure! The advisability of a whole-time clerk had been discussed but
not settled.
A report, dated 24th September, was submitted to the Council on the 28th
September in which the Committee recommended the Council to enter into an
agreement with the Guardians for the maintenance and care of patients at 42/per
case as from 1st November, 1920.
A report, dated 28th October, was submitted to the Council on the 9th
November, which stated that difficulties were arising in recovering payment
from patients for admission to the Maternity Home.
A report, dated 26th November, was submitted to the Council on the 14th
December.
In a report, dated 17th December, 1920, submitted to the Council on the
nth January, 1921, the Committee recommended the Council to obtain as a
third centre the rooms in Brookfield House formerly used by the Food Control
Officer.
A Christmas party was held for mothers on the 4th January, 1921.
Ante-Natal Centre.—This is held once a week at the Central Hall
in Fore Street. The conditions under which this important work is carried
on at present are not favourable to the mothers or the staff. The room
is far from clean and is used for other purposes. There is not a constant
supply of hot water close at hand, so that the sterilizer provided cannot be used.
The number of bowls, etc., is inadequate, and the table used for the examination
of expectant mothers is of a purely makeshift character. In short it is not
possible to carry out the work under antiseptic conditions. Mrs. Outram was
placed in charge here.
When the establishment of this Clinic was first mooted in 1918, I advised
that it be only initiated under proper conditions, viz., that a special room be
provided with proper equipment and that the services of a specialist in women's
diseases be secured, to whom both doctors and midwives could with confidence
send their patients for purposes of diagnosis only. Then both doctors and
midwives would readily co-operate with the gynaecologist-in-charge, when
they could secure advice for themselves and their patients superior to that of an
ordinary medical practitioner, male or female.
On 1st November the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee wrote to