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100
Report to Medical Officer of Health of
Miss A. E. Hall, Chief Health Visitor.
Public Health Department,
Bow Road, E. 3.
January lst, 1920.
Sir,
I beg to present the twelfth Annual Report of the work of the
Maternity and Child Welfare Department, the fifth under the Local
Government Board's extended scheme for the Prevention of Infantile
Mortality.
The visiting areas remain as before:—
Poplar Infant Welfare Association.
Undertake all the work south of the first bridges.
The Royal College of St. Katharine.
Undertake all the work between the first bridges and Bow Road.
The J'ublic Health Department.
Undertake all the work north of Bow Road.
The working arrangement between the above bodies and this
department continues to work smoothly.
The Treatment of Minor Ailments, and Ante-Natal Clinics were
opened in June. The midwives in the district were invited to the opening
of the latter to meet Dr. Dobson, and talk over things generally, and,
although the feeling appeared to be against the necessity for such a
Clinic, all promised their support. Flannel and wools, etc., were obtained
to be retailed to the mothers attending, at cost prices, and advice on
cutting out and making given. Two courses cf lectures were arranged
—one to be delivered by Dr. Dobson, and one by myself. The attendances
were very gratifying, but all educational work had to be suspended
when the Clinics were made distributing centres for free milk.
A very successful and unique party was given in July, jointly by
the Mayoress (Mrs. W. Lax), Lady Yeo, and Mrs. Reginald Blair, between
sixty and seventy mothers, with their twin children, accepting invitations.
The usual Baby Show was organised in connection with the Mayor's
Garden Party.
Payment of the midwives' fee was made in two necessitous cases.
Part payment for Convalescent Home in one case.
The number of mothers delivered in institutions appears to be
increasing (368), and knowing the difficulty there has been in obtaining
vacancies for one or two cases, I think the time has arrived when the
establishment of a Maternity Home in our own Borough should be
considered.