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(2) Further facilities for their medical examination either by their
parents' doctor or at the centres.
(3) Increase or extension of day nurseries where circumstances seem
to require it.
(4) Education authorities were also asked to consider the provision
of nursery schools.
The City Council, after consideration of these circulars, resolved that
early attention should be given to extending its health visiting services
on behalf of children under school age. An additional health visitor
was appointed and the work and areas of the Centres so reorganised
as to allow more time for home visits to these children. The question of
further facilities for these medical examinations was deferred pending
further information to be obtained from extended health visiting.
The Council has also given most careful consideration to the question
of day nurseries. The present accommodation is provided by a voluntary
society, and although the nursery is extremely well conducted it is entirely
inadequate. The finding of larger premises, having regard to the costliness
of sites in the City, still remains a problem of great anxiety to all
who are interested in this subject. Suggestions as to the inclusion of
day nurseries in housing estates, such as exist abroad, have been discussed,
together with other alternatives. To meet the difficult financial situation
of the existing day nursery, the Council decided to increase its grant.
The L.C.C., as Education Authority, approached the City Council as
to measures of co-operation. It was decided to transfer information
from the City Council's centres to the school authorities relating to the
health and welfare of children known to the centres and entering schools,
whether at the age of 5 or earlier. A form of record agreed between the
two authorities has been drawn up and the transfer of information is
proceeding satisfactorily.
The L.C.C. also drew attention to the use which might be made of
their school treatment centres for the benefit of pre-school children.
Maternity Beds.—The agreement with the Westminster Hospital for
the provision of maternity beds continues to work very satisfactorily.
As mentioned on a previous occasion the scheme has provided a long-felt
want and is a notable contribution to the solution of the problem of
maternal mortality. The cases admitted are those recommended from
the Council's three Maternity and Child Welfare Centres and that of the
Westminster Health Society. The grounds on which hospital accommodation
is sought are those laid down in Circular M. & C.W. 4, detailed in