View report page

21
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
The Borough for the purpose of Maternity and Child Welfare
services is divided into ten districts and in each district there is an
Infant Welfare Centre and staff appointed to supervise the physical
well-being of mothers and children under school age.
The work in seven of these areas is undertaken by voluntary
associations, the Controlling Committees of these Associations
having the power of appointment of Health Visitors and Clinic
Medical Officers for duty in their respective areas. The remaining
three areas are municipally directed, the Council being responsible
for the provision of the Centre premises, the appointment of Health
Visitors, and Clinic Medical Officers.
The Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme of this Borough also
includes ante-natal services, the provision of two Maternity Wards
in St. Giles' Hospital, Camberwel l; the distribution of milk to
mothers and infants in necessitous cases in accordance with the
terms of Ministry of Health Circular No. 185; convalescent home
treatment; home nursing; consultant services for private medical
practitioners who require assistance in cases of difficulty either
before, during, and after confinement; institutional provision for
unmarried mothers; as well as the incidental Infant Welfare service
of Infant Life Protection (Children and Young Persons Acts, 1908-
1932), which became an administrative duty of the Metropolitan
Local Authorities under the Transfer of Powers (London) Order,
1933.

Expectant mothers seeking advice with regard to their own
health are also seen by the Medical Officers at the Cambridge
House and the Kempshead Hall Centres at the weekly Infant
Clinic Sessions.