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23
of births notified in their respective areas and the other
incidental duties comprised in a maternity and child welfare
scheme.
The work at these centres has been so fully described in
previous Annual Reports that it will be unnecessary to say more
than that they continue to be attended by large and increasing
numbers of mothers and their children. Weights are periodically
taken, and the progress of each child is recorded. Every child
attending is seen at least once by the medical officer in charge
of the clinic, and minor ailments are treated, the more serious
cases being classified and referred for appropriate treatment by
their own doctors, or to hospitals, as may be required. By far
the greater number of children found to require medical or
surgical treatment are sent to the Victoria Children's Hospital,
Tite Street, Chelsea. It is to be regretted that the proposals
for bringing this hospital into a more defined relationship with
the Council's Maternity scheme—particulars in regard to which
were set out in the Annual Report for 1920—have had for the
time being to be postponed, the Ministry of Health, on
grounds of economy, having deferred consideration of the
matter.
The Council continues to give a yearly contribution to the
funds of the hospital, and in return the hospital authorities
have afforded facilities for the treatment of children referred
from the various Maternity and Child Welfare clinics. The
value of the services rendered to the Battersea scheme by this
Institution cannot be over-estimated, and it is to be hoped
that the proposals, which included the reserving of one or two
beds in the hospital for the use of Battersea children sent from
the clinics—the consideration of which has been deferred indefinitely
by the Ministry—will be pressed forward by the
Council for the attention and favourable consideration of the
Ministry of Health.
Nursing Facilities.
In connection with the Council's scheme, nursing attendance
is now freely available, arrangements having been made
with the South London District Nursing Association to provide
nursing attendance at the homes of patients when required. The
value of the work carried out in this direction is beyond
question, and the results must necessarily produce a marked
effect upon the mortality rate amongst young children.
During 1921 the total number of attendances made by the
nurses was as follows:—