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40
(APPENDIX.)
REPORT ON MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
Public Health Department,
Town Hall, Hackney, N.E.
20th April, 1916.
To the Chairman and Members of the
Public Health Committee.
Gentlemen,
In accordance with your reference, I beg herewith to submit
my report on the Circular letter and accompanying Memorandum
of the Local Government Board, dated 30th July, 1914, on the
subject of Maternity and Child Welfare.
The letter of the Local Government Board states, that an
estimate has been laid before Parliament, for a grant to be distributed
by the Board in aid of expenditure of local authorities and
voluntary agencies, in respect of institutions and other provision,
for maternity and child welfare. This grant will be made in aid
of expenditure in respect of clinics, dispensaries and other institutions
primarily concerned with the provision of medical and
surgical advice and treatment, and the salaries of Health Visitors
and other officers engaged for this work. The Board observe with
much satisfaction that efforts have been made by many local
authorities and voluntary agencies to deal with infant welfare, and
that those efforts have played an important part in the reduction
of infant mortality ; but it is evident, that more extended and
systematic measures, than have hitherto been generally adopted
are necessary, and it is hoped that the grant from the Exchequer
above referred to will stimulate local authorities to develop this
work still further.