View report page

51
INFANT CENTRES.
The total number of infants seen at the Municipal Infant Centre in
the year 1921 has been:—
New Cases 471
Total Attendances 4931
The other nine centres which are in part conducted by the Voluntary
Association have to some extent .suffered in their attendances
throughout the year from various causes. It is satisfactory to note,
however, that the numbers are again on the increase. The subjoined
table gives details of the attendances at the Centres.
The work of maternity and child welfare is coming to be considerably
hampered by the excessive amount of visiting and clerical work
devolving upon the health visitors in connection with domestic enquiry
circumstances. This part of the milk and food grants section of the
work is to a very large extent waste time in that the people who are
carrying it out are trained specifically for their professional work and
the professional side of their activities is very seriously hampered by the
repeated and prolonged visits which have to be made to obtain purely
automatic returns of family income, etc. It has been difficult, indeed,
at times to keep the visits and re-visits to new births properly up to date
in consequence of the amount of work which milk distribution has
entailed in this way.
Foster Children.
During 1921 special arrangements were made with the Guardians
that foster children should be seen at least once a quarter at the
centres. These quarterly special clinics for foster children have worked
admirably and not only have the children been seen there, but the good
relationships so established have resulted in many of the foster children
being brought regularly to the weekly meetings of the centres.
Massage Clinic.
This is held three times weekly, and is still insufficient to cover the
number of cases requiring such treatment.
Voluntary Association.
The Croydon Mothers and Infants Welfare Association has done
some very good pioneer work in the town in providing, for a limited
number of cases, convalescent treatment after illness, and in also providing
help for cases of illegitimate children and their mothers.
Provision of Fresh Milk at the Centres.
The provfsion of milk was restricted during 1921 in accordance with
the requirements laid down by the Ministry. The following statement
shews the main details, viz.:—