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of a suitable emergency unit. This will enable the services
of one of the Honorary Obstetric Assistants at the hospital,
together with a nurse and the necessary emergency equipment,
to be available at short notice for the treatment in their own
homes of patients whose condition is too grave to allow of their
removal to hospital.
A scheme for the provision of Home Helps was approved
by the Council in December, 1937. The difficulty experienced
in obtaining suitable women to take up these duties was
again very considerable. The payment made to Home Helps
was at the rate of 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.
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 40.
The Council, however, in certain cases, arrange convalescent
treatment for children under school age. During 1938
twenty-eight 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.
Seventeen midwives residing in the Borough notified
their intention of practising during the year, together with
five midwives resident in outside areas. Four of the former
eventually removed to other districts, leaving eighteen
practising midwives in Wimbledon at the end of 1938, five of
whom were resident outside the Borough.
There are, in addition, a number of midwives acting
purely as maternity nurses in the maternity homes.
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