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33
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
to other Centres. The number of attendances during the year
was 1,367, an average of 29.1 for 47 weeks. Two courses of lectures
and six health talks were given during the year.
A Babies' Nursing Home in connection with the Infant Welfare
Centre was opened on October 10th, 1918, at 39, Riggindale Road.
There are at present 14 cots, including two isolation cots, but
there is accommodation on the premises for eight more when
funds permit. The Staff consists of a Medical Officer, a Matron,
day and night Nurse and a relief Nurse, who is on duty two whole
days a week. Children are admitted from any part of the Borough.
The minimum charge is five shillings a week. No child is admitted
free except in cases of extreme poverty.
At the Balham Centre, held at Zennor Hall, the number
on the register at the end of 1918 was 444. New cases numbered
68 ; 13 children died and 40 removed. The number of attendances
during the year was 2,575, an average of 51.5 for 50 weeks. One
course of lectures was held, and health talks were given every
week.
At the Clapham Centre, 42, Manor Street, which was opened
on January 24th, 1918, the number on the register at the end of
1918 was 381. Nine children died and 22 removed. The number
of attendances was 3,032, an average of 64.5 for 47 weeks. It
was found necessary to open the Centre on two days of the week
instead of one only, as the number of attendances became so
large.
The Superintendents of the various Infant Welfare Centres
made 7,778 visits during the year to 2,919 children.
282 attendances were made by the Health Visitors to these
Centres during the year, and 45 lectures were given.
One of the Health Visitors is a member of the Local Committee
of each Infant Welfare Centre, and the Medical Officer of
Health is, ex-officio, a member of the General Council, whose
function is to co-ordinate the work of the Centres.