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71
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE CONSULTATIONS.
There are 18 Maternity and Child Welfare Centres, 16 of
which are conducted by the Croydon Mothers' and Infants'
Welfare Association and 2 by the local authority. A total of 23
sessions per week are held and at these a doctor and one, or, if
necessary, two health visitors, on the staff of the Health Department
attend.
During 1943, 3,142 new cases under 1 year of age and 755
over 1 year of age attended for the first time; the total of attendances
of infants and young children from 0—5 years increased
from 82,453 in 1942 to 85,869 in 1943. Consultations with doctors
decreased from 23,208 to 22,935. 57 expectant mothers were seen,
an increase of 8 on 1942, and a total of 373 visits to the Centres
was paid by them. The total of all visits to the Centres was
86,242, an increase of 3,455 compared with 1942.
The highest average attendance of mothers and babies at
each session was recorded at St. Stephen's (115.8), Woodside
(92.3), South Croydon (91.5), St. John's (85.9), St. Andrew's
(85.8), and Municipal (85.2).
Dental Treatment.
Maternity and Child Welfare Patients.
Expectant and nursing mothers and children below school
age are referred by Medical Officers attending Ante-Natal Clinics
and Infant Welfare Centres. Since the inauguration of the Municipal
Midwives Service applications for dental treatment have
also been received in increasing numbers from this source.
Expectant Mothers.
New cases inspected during the year numbered 570 compared
with 532 last year, and represent 91 per cent. of the total
number of mothers referred. Of the above, 82.5 per cent.
presented themselves during the first six months of pregnancy,
while the remaining 17.5 per cent. were first seen during the
later period of gestation. One of the most welcome signs during
recent years has been the very considerable rise in the number of
mothers referred during the ante-natal period.