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
Wood Green 1948
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wood Green]
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Care of the Unmarried Mother and her Child.
As in former years the help of the Social Welfare Worker of the
Tottenham Deanery Association for Moral Welfare has been available
to the department in dealing with cases of unmarried mothers
and their children. This is usually in the direction of arranging
admission of the mother to a suitable hostel, and helping her to
look after her child. Where this is not possible, assistance is given
in finding suitable foster-mothers, or advising as to adoption.
Free Food.
Free food consisting of dried milk, and cod-liver oil emulsion
was issued to necessitious expectant and nursing mothers attending
the centres at a cost of £8 16s. 7d. (from January 1st to July 4th,
1948).
In addition very good advantage was taken of the issue by the Food Office of cod liver oil, orange juice and vitamin tablets, and the local Food Office has kindly supplied me with the following information of supplies issued in Wood Green:—
| At Food Office. | At Food Advice Centre High Road. | Child Welfare Centres. | Day Nurseries & Schools. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cod Liver Oil | 6,680 | 12,274 | 2,939 | 482 |
| Orange Juice | 30,334 | 55,285 | 10,874 | 1,482 |
| Vitamins | 1,948 | 2,323 | 460 | — |
Home Help Service.
There was considerable development of this service during 1948
and in all 64 home helps were employed during the year. The
number of confinements for which a home help was provided was 29,
and assistance was provided in 206 homes on medical grounds.
This is a very valuable service, very much in demand and to judge
by the letters of thanks received for assistance provided, very much
appreciated.
Day Nurseries.
The two Day Nurseries, St. Michael's and White Hart Lane
have been full to capacity throughout the year and long waiting