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22
It is a scheme which no doubt is open to improvement, but it
would probably serve our turn for the present.
In it I have made no allusion to such matters as provision of
nourishment for expectant and nursing Mothers, provision of doctor
or midwife at confinement where necessary, and provision of help in
the home for the weeks after confinement.
These are matters which will require consideration in the future,
but as a commencement I venture to think that the scheme as outlined
would, if adopted, prove satisfactory.
A small Maternity Centre could be started in a very simple way.
Two rooms are necessary, one where the women could wait and
the babies would be weighed, the other where they could see the
doctor. The furniture could be of the simplest, a couple of tables
and some chairs ; special equipment would consist of a weighing
machine adapted for both mothers and babies, which could be bought
for 19/-, and a weighing basket costing 7/6, and simple drugs and
remedies, (as a matter of fact I believe I know where I could get
these machines for nothing). A couple of rooms might cost perhaps
10/- a week, that is a year.
A staff of 3 persons would be required if one Centre, and 4 if
two Centres, but two of these would be only part time.
1. A doctor who might be the Medical Officer of Health, or an
Assistant Medical Officer of Health. A lady doctor would be
preferable.
2. A fully qualified Health Visitor.
3. A competent woman (two required if 2 Centres) to take down
names and addresses, post the cards, keep the accounts and help in
various ways.
This woman would be paid say 5/- a week = £13 a year.
Cleansing and attendance would mean about 8/- to 10/-a week,
which is another £20 to a year, and something must be allowed
for fires and lights, stationery etc.
These would be covered by about £10.
If a lady doctor were engaged it would probably add to the
annual cost.
Of this expenditure whether for salaries or upkeep the Local
Government Board will now pay one half.
Certain days or hours should be set apart for expectant Mothers.
Health Visitors, Midwives and Doctors would be asked to forward
the names and addresses of these expectant Mothers to the Public
Health Department or the Maternity Centre, and to encourage these
patients to attend. Minor troubles or difficulties would be dealt with
by the Health Visitor, who acts as the superintendent of the Centre
and if graver ills are suspected the woman would be seen by the
Maternity Centre Doctor, who would then communicate with the
doctor in charge of the case.