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Home Helps.
Home Helps are provided from a panel of women numbering from ten
to fifteen approved by the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee for this
duty.
The working arrangements and the duties of the Home Helps under this
scheme are explained in the following leaflet, copies of which are given both
to the Home Help and the family to which she is supplied : —
" Home Helps.
"Arrangements have been made by the Maternity and Child
Welfare Committee for the supply of Home Helps to homes in cases of
childbirth occurring in the Borough.
"Care has been taken in the selection of women to act as Home Helps
both in regard to character and competency, but the Maternity and Child
Welfare Committee cannot accept responsibility for the conduct of these
Home Helps. In any case where a Home Help is found inefficient
or unsatisfactory in any respect, information should be sent at once to the
Medical Officer of Health at the Town Hall.
" The Duties of a Home Help are as follows : —
"On being summoned to the case, she must as soon as possible
inform the Medical Officer of Health at the Town Hall. A stamped
addressed envelope will be given for this purpose.
"She must not attend the case until the confinement is over, and
her services are only to be given between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
(except in special circumstances).
"She is only expected to attend up to a maximum of 48 hours per
week for two weeks. Any time in excess of this is not paid for unless
special authority is given.
"The times of attendances must be entered on a time-sheet daily,
which sheet should be signed by the patient or some responsible person
on her behalf, and presented at the Town Hall for payment as each week
is completed.
"The duties consist of general home management, including
cooking, not more than two weeks' washing, and the care of the children
(she will not undertake arrears of washing).
"A doctor and a nurse, or midwife, will be in attendance, and it
must be fully understood that no nursing duties are to be undertaken by
the Home Help.
"If there are not suitable facilities for washing in the house, the
Home Help will wash elsewhere (Baths, etc.) and out-of-pocket expenses,
if any, will be paid.
"Patients are not expected to provide meals for Home Helps.
"Home Helps will be under the general supervision of the Health
Department, and they are expected to attend at the Model Welfare