Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1934
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36
(b.) Non-infectious and Accident Cases.—The efficient ambulance
service of the London County Council is available for cases of accident,
sudden illness and also for maternity cases. The ambulances of the
London County Council may also be utilized, on payment, for the removal
of non-infectious cases to hospitals or homes.
CLINICS AND TREATMENT CENTRES.
(a.) The Violet Melchett Infant Welfare Centre.—Chairman of
Council; Violet, Lady Melchett, D.B.E. Hon. Treasurer : Mrs. Hartnell;
Hon. Secretary : Miss M. Bowden-Smith.
This Institution, controlled by a Voluntary Council with headquarters
in Wellington Street, adjoining the Town Hall, was completed in February,
1931, and formally opened by H.M. The Queen on 26th March, 1931.
The Violet Melchett Infant Welfare Centre maintains the Maternity
and Child Welfare services in the Borough and embodies the activities
of the Chelsea Health Society, the Chelsea Day Nursery and the Chelsea
Mothercraft Training Home.
The magnificent building, with the land on which it stands and a
considerable portion of its equipment, was a gift of the late Lord Melchett
as a memorial to Lady Melchett's life-long work for Infant Welfare.
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 £1,250 to the Violet
Melchett Infant Welfare Centre for the financial year 1934-1935.
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. Sec-'
retary : 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 484, King's
Road.
The accommodation provided includes a large central hall, with
surrounding consulting-rooms and dressing rooms. There is also a
perambulator store, an open-air court with a garden where children may
play while awaiting medical inspection, and ample office accommodation.
During the year five infant clinics were held weekly—four at Wellington
Street and one at King's Road. At Wellington Street one ante-natal
clinic was held weekly. Details of the work carried out by the Society
will be found on page 33 (Table No. 26).