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
Beckenham 1945
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Beckenham]
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The following figures shew the attendances of children in
age-groups.
Infant Welfare Centre Attendances.
Year of Attendances
Birth made
1940 343
1941 1,082
1942 2,013
1943 3,832
1944 10,959
1945 8,516
Total 26,745
Four Health Visitors were engaged in Home Visiting and at
the Infant Welfare Centres during the year 910 new cases were
placed on the Health Visitors registers.
Particulars of the visits made are shewn in the following
table.
| New Cases | Routine Visits to Children under one | Routine Visits Aged 1-5 | Special Visits for Illness | Expectant Mothers | Other Visits | No Reply | Total Visit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | ||||||||
In December, 1945, a report on the Infant Welfare Services
was presented to the Health and Welfare Committee; after considering
this report the Committee recommended that an additional
Health Visitor be appointed to commence duty on 1st April, 1946,
and that additional sessions should be held at two of the Infant
Welfare Centres.
UNMARRIED MOTHERS.
During the year the cases of 18 unmarried mothers were
brought to the notice of the Department. Of these 12 were reported
by the Social Worker of the Rochester Diocesan Moral Welfare
Council, 3 by Midwives or Health Visitors, 2 by Forces Welfare
Societies and 1 by the Surrey County Council.
Arrangements were made for 10 of these cases to enter special
Hostels maintained by the Rochester Diocesan and other Moral
Welfare Societies, the remaining 8 making their own arrangements.
Of the 15 babies born, 1 died shortly after birth, 5 remained in
the care of their mothers, 6 were adopted under the Adoption of
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