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39
The Mothercraft Training Home provides accommodation for six
nursing mothers with their babies, on the occurrence of lactation
difficulties, also for twelve babies suffering from digestive disorders and
for three fatherless breast-fed babies whose mothers arc employed as maids
in the Home. In addition, a nursery is available to which nursing mothers
may come during the day for test feeds or observation. The wards open
on to a balcony and roof garden.
The Violet Melchett Infant Welfare Centre is supported by (1)
voluntary contributions (2) an endowment of £500 per annum generously
provided by Lady Melchett herself (3) financial grants from the Ministry
of Health and the Borough Council. A further source of income arises
from the fees paid by pupils and parents.
The Borough Council made a financial grant of £l,250 to the Violet
Melchett Infant Welfare Centre for the financial year 1931-1932.
Reference will now be made to the activities of the three organisations
included in the Violet Melchett Infant Welfare Centre.
(1) Chelsea Health Society.—Wellington Street, S.W. 3. Chairman
of Executive Committee : Violet, Lady Melchett, D.B.E. Hon. Secretary
: Miss M. Bowden-Smith.
This Society, controlled by a Voluntary Committee, with headquarters
in Wellington Street, carries out the Maternity and Child Welfare services
in the Borough. Clinics are held in Wellington Street and at 481, King's
Road.
During the year four infant clinics were held weekly—three at
Wellington Street and one at King's Road. At Wellington Street one
ante-natal clinic was held weekly and a post-natal clinic was held twice
monthly. Details of the work carried out by the Society will be found
on page 35 (Table No. 27).
The Medical and other staff are appointed by the Voluntary Committee,
Four part-time Medical Officers are employed—Dr. Mary Nelson, Dr.
Muriel Radford, Dr. Kathleen Matthews and Dr. Margaret Salmond.
Three whole-time trained Health Visitors are also employed, together with
necessary clerical and domestic assistance. Much valuable work is
done by voluntary workers attached to the Society.
Three members of the Public Health Committee of the Borough Council
and the Medical Officer of Health are members of the Executive Committee.
The Society is supported by (1) voluntary contributions (2) financial
grants from the Ministry of Health and from the Borough Council.
Under section 101 (6) of the Local Government Act, 1929, the Borough
Council made an annual contribution of £1,427 to the Chelsea Health
Society for services in respect of Maternity and Child Welfare work for
financial year 1931-1932.
(2) Chelsea Day Nursery, Flood Street, S.W. 3.—Chairman of
Executive Committee : Alderman Eric Hall, L.C.C. Hon Secretaries :
Miss Antrobus and The Hon. Diana Darling.