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*Report of the Public Health Committee, dated the 29th March, 1911.
Infantile Mortality.
Further and very careful consideration has been given by the Committee
to the important question of the reduction of the rate of infantile mortality in
the Borough, especially in view of the reference to the Committee, of the 5th
January last, from a Committee of the whole Council which met to consider
the subject.
Since April, 1908, the subject has from time to time been before the
Committee, but, the Council having no power to incur expenditure in dealing
with the matter beyond that involved in the appointment of Health Visitors,
we have considered as to the prospect of useful assistance and necessary aid
being afforded apart from the Council. As it appears that no effectual work is
being done, we are strongly of opinion that it is now time that the Council
should, as the Sanitary Authority of the Borough, recognise that some steps
must be taken to deal with the matter.
The London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1908, confers upon the
Council the power to appoint suitable women (to be known as "Health
Visitors") for the purpose of giving to persons advice as to the proper nurture,
care and management of young children, and the promotion of cleanliness, and
the discharging of such other duties as may be assigned to them in accordance
with the regulations of the Local Government Board. The London County Council
may contribute any sum not exceeding one-half of the salary of any person
appointed as a Health Visitor. Further than this, the Council has no power.
That being so, it is the intention of members of the Committee to take action to
establish a Committee to afford aid in the direction of the care of infants,
assistance to expectant and nursing mothers, the provision of a school for
mothers, the establishment of creches, midwifery kits and like matters. Having
regard to the importance of the subject, it is hoped that many members of the
Council will join the proposed Committee, and endeavour to secure the active
personal services of other persons. We also propose that the Committee to be
formed should act upon the official information obtained by the Public Health
Committee.
In order to secure the objects we have in view, we feel that better and
fuller provision should be made for dealing with the notification of births
received under the Notification of Births Act, 1907, and that this and other
necessary work to be undertaken require the appointment of a Health Visitor.
We think that, if two persons were engaged upon this work, the Borough could
be divided between the present Female Sanitary Inspector and a Health Visitor,
and that useful and necessary work in the public interest might then be
accomplished. We, therefore,
Recommend—
(i.) That the Council authorise the Public Health Committee to take the
necessary steps to proceed to the appointment of a suitable person as Health
Visitor, at a salary of £100 per annum, rising by annual increments of £5 to a
maximum salary of £120 per annum, pursuant to the provisions of section 6 of
the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1908, and the Health
Visitors (London) Order, 1909.
(ii.) That, in order to assist the project of members of the Public Health
Committee in regard to the establishment of a Committee to obtain funds and