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Doctors and Health Visitors is, of course, largely educational in
itself, and I have no doubt that we are reaping the benefit from
their unceasing and devoted work.
The scheme mentioned in the last annual report of having two
lady doctors has thoroughly justified itself, especially as one of
the great difficulties is that the large majority of the mothers are
anxious to get in personal touch with the medical officers direct,
but, of course, the numbers who do so must be restricted, because
if the lady doctors see too many mothers and infants in one
session, the giving of advice becomes a mere matter of routine
and consequently much less impressive. Full details of the work
of the Health Visitors and attendances at Centres will be found
in Tables G and H.
The work of the Voluntary Centres has gone on very satisfactorily,
and is very much appreciated, not only by the mothers
themselves, but by the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee.
FAIRBY GRANGE CONVALESCENT HOME,
HARTLEY, KENT.
Fairby Grange continues to be appreciated by the mothers
of Bermondsey. During 1926, the number of mothers admitted
was 247, the number of babies 133, and the number of toddlers
119. I would like to say a word of appreciation of the way the
home is managed by the matron, Miss Sewell, and her staff.
This home is one of the most economical institutions that the
Borough Council has under its care. There is accommodation for
sixteen mothers and sixteen children with a staff of six, and it
provides an immense amount of happiness at a total cost of less
than ¼d. rate.
During the year, the Mayor, Councillor I. Stokes, provided
a wireless set, which has proved a great boon. The only difficulty
we have is filling the home during the months of November,
December, January, and February. Special efforts were made
by the Committee to advertise it, and also gave facilities to allow
women who were convalescent from various illnesses to go down,
but, notwithstanding this, the country is not very attractive
during the winter for towns people. Possibly we may be able
to devise some additional attraction for the coming winter.