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54
various schemes in all parts of the country, are of
opinion that there should be one Health Visitor to every
500 births, and as there are in Fulham 4,000 births a year,
this would mean eight Health Visitors. This, however,
may perhaps be regarded as a counsel of perfection,
and I am of opinion that, taking into consideration
the assistance we get from voluntary organisations, at
present two might be found adequate. This, however,
is certainly the minimum number commensurate with
efficiency, and I have every confidence that the Council
will agree to their appointment.
As the Local Government Board say in their circular,
that even though at the present time strict
economy is required in the public bodies and private
individuals, the importance of conserving the infant
life of the population makes it desirable that steps
should be taken in the direction indicated, especially
as a large outlay will not be involved in the provision
of the services mentioned. The salary of a properly
qualified Health Visitor would be about £100 a year,
rising say to £125, and as one half of the expenditure
will be refunded to the Council by the Local Government
Board, the net cost of two Health Visitors will be
at first £100 a year.
With regard to the other suggestions of the model
scheme, as the Local Government Board are anxious
that there should be close co-operation between the
Sanitary Authority and the numerous voluntary agencies
now at work, the hospitals and the medical practitioners,
I will take the opportunity of briefly detailing
the work which is now being done by voluntary associations,
in order that the Committee may appreciate the
large amount of useful work in connection with child
welfare that is being done in Fulham, and may formulate
a scheme for co-ordinating and extending it.
The following are the organisations dealing solely
with children:—