London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Chelsea 1935

Report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1935

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34
practice of an individual being granted a somewhat similar form of relief
by two different authorities.
The supply of milk under the Borough Council Scheme has undoubtedly
effected very marked improvement in the general health of both mothers
and children.
INSTITUTIONAL PROVISION FOR UNMARRIED MOTHERS,
ILLEGITIMATE INFANTS AND HOMELESS CHILDREN.
(a.) The Day Servants Hostel, 29-33, Danvers Street, Chelsea,
provides accommodation for 15 unmarried mothers and their infants.
Cases are not received until after birth of the child. Daily work is
provided by the Hostel and the mothers reside with their babies at night.
(b.) The Fanny Hobson Hostel, 497, King's Road, Chelsea, provides
accommodation for 20 women on discharge from prison or if found
homeless. Unmarried mothers, but not illegitimate infants, are received.
An expectant mother is retained until the confinement approaches.
Arrangements are then made for her admission to Hospital. If she is
subsequently re-admitted to the Hostel, the infant is settled with a foster
mother.
(c.) St. Theresa's Shelter, 43, Smith Street, Chelsea, is a Rescue
Home which provides accommodation for nine girls. Cases are detained
for some weeks until some suitable employment can be found. In the
cases of an expectant mother, arrangements are made for her transfer
to an appropriate Home or Institution elsewhere in the Metropolis.
Homeless children in general are cared for by the Public Assistance
Committee.
AMBULANCE FACILITIES.
(a.) Infectious Cases.—Under the Public Health (London) Act,
persons in London suffering from certain notifiable diseases may be
conveyed without payment to a hospital of the London County Council.
The London County Council ambulances are also available, on payment,
for the conveyance of persons suffering from infectious disease to places
elsewhere in the metropolitan area.
(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: Col. Sir
Courtauld Thomson, K.B.E., C.B. Hon Secretaries : Miss M. BowdenSmith
and the Hon. Diana Darling.