London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Croydon 1970
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]
This page requires JavaScript
24
Care of the Unmarried Mother
Three voluntary organisations act as agents of the Corporation. Grants
are made to them to cover the work of their social welfare officers and the
cost of sending mothers to mother and baby homes. These arrangements
continue schemes in operation in the former constituent authority areas. The
Southwark Catholic Children's Society covering the whole London Borough,
the Croydon Association for Moral Welfare the former County Borough; and
the Southwark Diocesan Association the former Coulsdon and Purley areas.
Merging the work of the two latter organisations was possible but would have
resulted in a substantial loss of voluntary contributions. No administrative
difficulties arose during the year under review.
The following figures apply only in regard to cases dealt with by Croydon
Association for Moral Welfare.
During the year under review:-367 cases were dealt with by the social workers.
35 girls were admitted to mother and baby homes.
35 girls were financially assisted by the Local Authority.
| Ages of the younger mothers when they applied for help. | Age when baby was born | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 years old | — | 12 years old | — |
| 13 " " | — | 13 " " | — |
| 14 " " | 4 | 14 " " | 2 |
| 15 " " | 12 | 15 " " | 9 |
| 16 " " | 3 | 16 " " | 6 |
| 17 " " | 27 | 17 " " | 25 |
| 18 " " | 57 | 18 " " | 45 |
| 103 | 19 " " | 13 | |
| 100 | |||
Midwives Acts 1902 - 51
The number of midwives who notified their intention to practice as
midwives within the Borough (including those in hospitals) and who were
practising at the end of the year was 102. All held the certificate of the
Central Midwives' Board. The Medical Supervisor of Midwives visits midwives
in private practice and nursing homes, and the superintendent
Municipal Midwife carries out these duties for the domiciliary midwives.
Congenital Malformation
The scheme introduced in 1963 continued unchanged, regular returns
being made to the Registrar General. A total of 97 babies with congenital
conditions was notified in 1970.
For details see Appendix, page 108.