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13
REPORT OF MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH
ON MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
Gentlemen,—In accordance with your instructions I
beg to submit the following report with reference to maternity
and child welfare.
In October, 1914, a report was prepared on the subject at
the Committee's request. This report covered the circular of
the Local Government Board of July 1914. In that report
was described the suggestions of the Board dealing by means
of institutions and otherwise with the care of expectant
mothers during pregnancy and at the confinement, and
subsequently the care of the nursing mother and the
supervision of the child until it reached school age. This
report was considered by the Committee when the matter was
adjourned (sine die.)
In the latest circular of the Local Government Board
dated July 1915, they sanction the expenditure of money for,
and will pay grants up to one half of the total expended for
the following:—
1. The salaries and expenses of inspectors of
midwives.
2. The salaries and expenses of health visitors.
3. The provision of a midwife or a doctor for the
aid in confinement of necessitous women.
4. The expenses of a maternity centre, i.e., an
institution providing any or all of the following
activities, viz. :—medical supervision and advice
for expectant and nursing mothers, and for
infants and little children, and medical treatment
for cases needing it.
Grants will be paid to voluntary agencies aided by the
Board on condition :—
1. That the work of the agency is approved by the
Board and co-ordinated as far as practicable
with the public health work of the local sanitary
authority and the school medical service of the
local education authority.
2. That the premises and work of the institution
will be subject to inspection by any of the
Board's officers or inspectors.
3. That records of the work done by the agency are
kept to the satisfaction of the Board.