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It should be noted that in addition to the mothers who
attended the above Ante-natal Clinics a considerable number
also attended the Ante-natal Clinics at the Nelson and Kingston
County Hospitals, where two hundred and seventy-eight
women living in the Borough of Wimbledon were admitted for
their confinements during 1938.
In 1934, the Corporation made arrangements whereby
midwives are compensated for the loss of their patients
when these are referred to hospital for their confinements
after attendance at the Ante-natal Clinic. The rate of compensation
paid to the midwives is ten shillings per case.
Lectures for Mothers.
Classes for mothers were held at Wandle Park House,
Wandle Bank, and the Health Centre, Pelham Road. Home
nursing, mothercraft, hygiene, and singing, were taught. The
average attendance of mothers at the Pelham Centre was
26.04 and at the Wandle Park Centre 19.51.
Midwifery and Maternity Services—Midwives Act, 1936.
The Midwives Act, 1936, came into operation on 30th
July, 1937. As stated in last year's Report the Council
decided to enter into an agreement with the Wimbledon
District Nursing and Midwifery Association for the provision
of a service of whole-time domiciliary midwives. Three
midwives were appointed at the commencement, provision
being made for the appointment of a fourth midwife at a
later date should this be found to be necessary.
The agreement provides for a payment of £400 per
annum to the District Nursing Association by the Corporation.
The fee for the services of a midwife acting either as a midwife
or a maternity nurse is £2 in respect of a first confinement
and thirty shillings in respect of a subsequent confinement.
A scale is also in force for the purpose of determining
what proportion of the full fee is to be paid by the patient oilier
husband or other person liable to maintain her. This is
determined in accordance with the financial circumstances of
the family. When the net weekly income per head of the
family, after making the usual deductions, is below seven
shillings no charge is made for the services of the midwife.
This service is becoming more widely known and there is
every indication that the public is making greater use of the
facilities available under the Act.
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