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23
At other times the Centre would be open to nursing Mothers to
bring their babies to be weighed and to get from the Health Visitor,
and where necessary from the Doctor, advice as to feeding and
treatment which would serve to prevent sickness.
In the large District of Enfield, I think that at least two Centres
would be necessary as it is desirable that the Mothers should not
have too far to travel, it being difficult for them to go far or spend
much on trams.
The advice and treatment given at the Maternity Centres is
needed for the wives of skilled artisans as well as by the very poor.
To make this scheme a success the co-operation of working
women's organisations, the Women's Co-operative Guild, Relief
Committee, etc. etc., should be obtained.
I would draw the attention of the Council to the fact that the
new Grant-in-Aid for Maternity and Child Welfare now passed by
Parliament enables the Local Government Board to pay 50% of all
costs connected with this work to Municipal and Voluntary Organisations.
This would include half-salaries of all Health Officials connected
with Maternity work, half expenses of rent, light, heat, etc., of a
Maternity Centre or Infant consultations ; half cost of drugs and
treatment.
The sum of £12,000 has already been voted to cover these half
expenses for the six months ending September 1914.
The following is the total estimated expenditure per annum
allowing for 2 Maternity Centres.
£
1 Health Visitor 100
2 Centres (Rent) £26 each 52
2 Women 26
Cleansing and Attendance 50
Fire, Light, Stationery Etc. 10
Incidentals 10
248
Half of this amount, as already stated, would be refunded by
the Local Government Board.
If as I have already mentioned, a lady doctor were engaged £50
should be added to this.
The matter was discussed very fully by the Council, and eventually
it was decided to defer consideration of the question until
November, 1915.