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150
Coywalescent Homes.—There are many charitable agencies throughout
the City which are always ready to answer the call for convalescent
treatment for mothers and children. Among them may be mentioned
the Friends of the Poor and the St. Henry Fund. The Medical Officer
of Health is ex officio a trustee of the latter, the benefits of which are
available only to residents of the parish of St. Anne's, Soho.
Homes for Unmarried Mothers, etc.—The Council makes an annual
grant of £100 to the Home of St. John the Baptist at Tulse Hill. This
home was formerly in the City, and cases from Westminster are eligible
for admission. The two other homes in the City which exist for a similar
purpose were mentioned previously in this report.
Day Nursery.—Careful consideration has been given to a Circular
issued jointly by the Minister of Health and the President of the Board
of Education on the subject of the health of children under school age.
The Circular suggests, inter alia, that in some areas the Maternity and Child
Welfare Authorities may decide to supplement their arrangements for
the treatment of children under school age by the provision of day nurseries
for children whose mothers go out to work, or whose home conditions are
such that the children's health would benefit by the daily supervision which
can be secured in this way.
The day nursery accommodation in Westminster is not sufficient to
meet all needs and the whole question is being carefully considered with
a view to submitting a recommendation which will meet with approval
by the City Council. In the meantime it was decided to increase the
Council's grant to the Westminster Red Cross Day Nursery, 147, Warwick
Street, in the current financial year from £50 to £100.
Supply of Milk.—Fresh and dried milk is supplied to certain cases
recommended by the medical officer of the maternity and child welfare
centre. Before the grants are made a standard of income laid down by
the Ministry must be proved. In some instances the weekly income
does not justify an award of free milk, but those cases may come within
the scale for milk at half price. The applications are considered by a
meeting of the ladies of the Maternity and Child Welfare Sub-Committee,
which takes place once a month at each centre. Grants are made for
a period of one month and are reconsidered for continuation at each
meeting. Preparations of dried milk are sold at cost price in connection
with the centres, 5,040 pounds being disposed of during the year. The
amount expended by the Council for fresh milk as extra nourishment
for mothers and infants amounted to £99 1s. 7d.