London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
St Pancras 1928
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Pancras, Metropolitan Borough]
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35
Day Nurseries.
The Council assists three approved day nurseries in the Borough by the payment of
one-quarter of the net expenditure, as approved by the Ministry of Health, after the deduction
of the payments made by the mothers. The effect of this is that the total expenses are
shared, as to one-half by the Ministry of Health, one quarter by the Council, and one
quarter by voluntary funds.
Particulars in regard to the day nurseries for the year ended 31st March, 1929, are as follows:—
| Grant paid by Borough Council. | No. of Days Open. | Attendances. | Average per Day. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| s. | ||||||
With the approval of the Minister of Health, the Council also made a contribution of
£500 to the building fund of the Margaret Day Nursery. The work carried out by the
Committee of this Nursery is so successful and so much appreciated that there is urgent need
for more convenient and larger premises.
Clinic for Ailing Mothers, and Children under School Age.
A weekly clinic is held by Dr. F. L. Provis at the St. Pancras Dispensary, 39, Oakley
Square. To this, patients are referred from the Town Hall, from the Welfare Centres, by the
health visitors, etc.
During 1928, new cases under five years of age numbered 113, ailing mothers 39, and
expectant mothers (new cases) 72. The total attendances at this clinic were 402 of children
under five, 90 of ailing mothers, and 153 of expectant mothers. The corresponding figures for
the Dispensary as a whole (including Dr. Provis' clinic, but not the tuberculosis department)
were:—children under five: new cases, 691; attendances, 1,741; ailing mothers and expectant
mothers: new cases, 49; attendances, 112.
The Medical Officer of this Special Clinic is paid by the Borough Council. He is
assisted by a Nurse (part-time), the cost of whose services is defrayed as to one-half by the
Committee of the St. Pancras Dispensary and the other half by the Committee of the
Mayoress' Home. During the year the Nurse made 932 visits to the homes of children
under five.
The Dispensary Resident Medical Officer also made 1,119 home visits to sick children
under five years of age.
The cost of the other work of the Dispensary amongst women and children is defrayed
out of funds from voluntary sources, and is also subsidised by the Ministry of Health.