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In March a special Toddlers' Clinic was instituted at Greyhound Road, once weekly,
and is slowly making headway. We have in the past had such sessions both at Wandsworth
Bridge Road and Greyhound Road Centres, but neither proved successful; however, we are
hoping that new ideas being put into practice may help to justify the present experiment.
A large proportion of mothers still fail to realise the importance of the medical supervision
of apparently healthy children. The average General Practitioner has neither the time
nor the opportunity for this work. The clinics, on the other hand, are not concerned with
the treatment of sick children. A more general recognition of these facts by everybody concerned
would go far to producing a healthier community. The supervision of the pregnant
and nursing mother is of primary importance; it is at the foundation of the whole edifice of
Maternity and Child Welfare work. In Fulham since 1919 we have had special cards at the
clinic for recording the history of nursing mothers, while pregnant women attend at separate
sessions.
Upon the mother depends, in large measure, the contentment and well-being of the
family and at the Centres we lay great emphasis on this point. The presence in the Borough
of open spaces such as Eelbrook Common, Parson's Green, the Recreation Ground, South and
Bishop's Parks, is in itself an important factor towards this end.
The organised games instituted in South Park, Bishop's Park and the Recreation
Ground during the year must have had their place in assuring the mother of her child's
safety and happiness while away from school and out of her sight.
Increasing legislation throws added work on the clerical and Health Visiting staffs,
which are not always concurrently increased, and I should like to place on record my deep
appreciation of the wholehearted and loyal services of both the Health Visiting and clerical
staffs.
I am glad that we still retain the generous services of our regular Voluntary Workers.
Mrs. Bell for several years attended regularly at five medical sessions a week, but has lately
been unable to come quite so frequently. Her devoted work is gratefully acknowledged.
The Fulham Free Church Women's Guild continue to provide tea and biscuits at a
nominal cost for the mothers attending the Centres and their services are much appreciated.
ANTE-NATAL CLINICS.
Three ante-natal sessions are held each week, a morning and an afternoon one at Greyhound
Road conducted by myself, and an afternoon session at Wandsworth Bridge Road
conducted by Dr. Barrett.
Public opinion is now being widely directed to the desirability of the regular medical
supervision of pregnancy, and with the provision made by the Borough Council there is no
reason why every expectant mother should not have adequate attention in this respect. The
clinic sessions are on occasion uncomfortably crowded and the provision of extra ones may
require early consideration.
The value and importance of regular ante-natal supervision is not yet sufficiently
widely recognised. There is no doubt that this measure properly applied can diminish the
accidents and risks of child-birth, which have so far signally failed to respond to the public
health measures which have in every other direction produced such striking results.
The ante-natal clinics are intended primarily for supervision with a view to the occurrence
of a safe confinement. It is the duty of Medical Officers of ante-natal clinics to satisfy
themselves that any abnormalities are known and provided against, and that every woman
attending has made suitable arrangements for the proper conduct of her confinement. A close
co-operation is maintained between the clinics and the doctors or midwives concerned with all
cases; and written reports are sent when necessary.