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been fixed at twenty-five shillings per week. Relatives are
required to contribute towards the cost in accordance with
their financial circumstances. Applicants for these appointments
are interviewed by the Chairman of the Maternity and
Child Welfare Committee and the Medical Officer of Health in
order that their suitability for the work may be investigated.
As indicated earlier in the Report the Council have also
made arrangements for the services of a Consultant
Obstetrician to take charge of the Ante-natal Clinic.
Institutional Provision for Mothers or Children.
With the exception of the Day Nursery, which has
accommodation during the day for fifty children under five
years of age, the Corporation make no institutional provision
for mothers or young children. Details of the work of the
Day Nursery are given on page 37.
The Council, however, in certain cases, arrange convalescent
treatment for children under school age. During 1937
eighteen children were sent to convalescent institutions for
varying periods. The arrangements for convalescence are
made through the local branch of the Invalid Children's Aid
Association.
Midwives Acts, 1902-1926.
The Council is the Local Supervising Authority for the
Midwives Acts in Wimbledon.
Twenty-eight midwives residing in the Borough notified
their intention of practising during the year, together with
six midwives resident in outside areas. Eleven of the former
eventually removed to other districts and one surrendered
her certificate voluntarily under the Midwives Act, 1936,
leaving sixteen practising midwives in Wimbledon at the end
of 1937.
There are, in addition, a number of midwives acting
purely as maternity nurses in the maternity homes.
Two hundred and thirty-eight confinements were attended
by midwives and seventy-seven by maternity nurses.
Regular inspection of the midwives was carried out by
the Assistant Medical Officer, who is the Inspector of Midwives
for the Borough. These inspections showed that the
records, bags, instruments, etc., were being maintained in a
satisfactory manner. They also indicated that on the whole
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