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tion under which the Association arranges, on behalf of the Council,
convalescent home treatment for children up to the age of five years.
Under this arrangement the Council is not required to meet any
cost other than that which the parents are not able to contribute
towards the actual cost of the treatment provided at the convalescent
home, or which is not forthcoming from charitable sources.
During 1934 arrangements were made for the convalescence of
20 children. In addition, two nursing mothers and their babies were
sent to a convalescent home during the year.
The total cost to the Council of convalescent home treatment in
1934 was £49 12s. 8d.
Midwives and Midwifery Assistance.—There are 46 midwives
residing in the Borough who have notified to the local supervising
authority (the London County Council) their intention to practise,
and 15 midwives who practise in the Borough but reside elsewhere.
Of the total number 24 are engaged in private practice, the remaining
number being employed by voluntary associations.
In order to meet the needs of those mothers who desire to be
confined in their own homes and are unable to pay a midwife's fee,
the Council adopted a scheme in 1920 under which it accepts
financial responsibility for the whole or part of the cost of a
midwife's services.
Application for assistance under this scheme is made upon a
printed form, showing the size and income of the family, the name
of the midwife to be engaged, the fee to be charged, and other
relevant information. The statements made in the form are verified
by the Health Visitor, and the Medical Officer of Health considers
each application with a view to making an appropriate recommendation
to the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee as to the
suitability of the case for assistance and the sum to be paid by
the Council.
The fees of midwives in attendance on 37 mothers were paid
by the Council during the year, the payments totalling £37 6s. 6d.
Maternity Outfits.—Following upon the issue of Ministry of
Health Memorandum 156/MCW regarding maternal mortality, the
Council arranged for a stock of sterilised maternity outfits to be
kept at the Town Hall for issue to expectant mothers who arrange
for their confinements to take place in their homes. These outfits
are supplied to the Council at a cost of 6s. Od. each, and are issued
to applicants at or below cost price, or free of cost to persons who
are unable to make a contribution.