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17
[1926
The Centre continued to co-operate with the Britannia Row "Light" Clinic,
emphasising the fact, however, that the sending a child to this clinic was not ;n
substitution for the daily outing which every child should receive.
The crowded condition of some of the Clinics at this Centre led to rooms
being obtained at the South Islington Pro Patria Day Nursery, 15, Ahvyne Place,
N., where an extra clinic once a week hasi been held since February, 1927. An
extra day was also arranged for at 28, Duncan Terrace, N., and the use of one
more room obtained there. It is reported that these improvements have done
much to relieve congestion at the Branch, and enable the work to be carried on
more efficiently.
At the South Centre preliminary talks were given in advance of "Health
Week"—six in number, the average number of mothers present being 19. These
preliminary talks were followed by short lectures on "Health and Cleanliness,"
the subject of the week. The attendances at these totalled 303, and an average
of 38 per lecture.
East Centre.—The Medical Officer's report states that they are gaining the
confidence of the mothers in attendance and that it would appear that this confidence
is much greater than it was some years ago, resulting in attendance at the Centre
rather than the Hospital Out-Patients' Department. This makes it important
that it should be realised that the work of the Welfare Centres is primarily
preventive work. They are not for the purpose of treating disease, but for
guidance in regard to infant welfare. The markedly preventive nature of the
work is especially apparent in the work of the Ante-natal Clinics.
Three lectures were given at this Centre during "Health Week" and two
at the Branch Centre. The total attendances were 170, being an average of 34.
West Centre.—Through the agency of this Centre many mothers and children
have been sent away for convalescent treatment, the convalescence being obtained
through the generosity of several agencies and the donations towards a special
fund for the purpose.
This Centre, like the Northern, has its own "artificial light" clinic, and it
is reported that this has been of the greatest possible benefit.
During "Health Week" the Sisters gave "Health Talks" every afternoon,
on the lines of the inaugural lecture, to the various groups of mothers waiting to
see the doctors. In addition, two "Health Talks" were given to mothers at
the Centre. The attendance at the first was 26, and the second, which was given
in the garden, was attended by over 50 mothers.