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Dental Clinic.—Following the destruction of the Dental Clinic
by enemy action, arrangements were made with the London County
Council for dental treatment to be carried out at St. James' Hospital,
this service commencing in March, 1941. During the year
303 mothers and 105 children were referred to the Clinic, and of
these 98 mothers and 30 children had attended.
Hospitals.—72l Cases were referred to hospitals, etc., from the
welfare centres.
National Dried Milk and Vitamins.—Throughout the year,
National dried milk and fruit juice and cod liver oil, supplied by the
Ministry of Food, have been distributed to children and expectant
mothers through the Public Health Department and the Welfare
and Ante-natal Clinics. The totals issued through these sources
during the year were: National Dried Milk, 12,866 packets; Fruit
Juice, 33,140 bottles; Cod Liver Oil, 5,530 bottles, and 1,521
packets of capsules.
Priority Dockets for Sheets. —The arrangements made for the
issue of priority dockets to enable mothers who were being confined
at home to purchase utility sheets were continued during the year.
The maximum allowed to any one mother was three. 2,268
dockets were issued to 811 mothers during 1946.
Dinners.—Women and children were still sent for dinners to
the dining rooms of the Women's League of Service at Southlands.
The Invalid Kitchens Association were compelled to close down
during the year.
Unmarried Mothers. —Instead of the usual grant of £150 being
paid direct to the Southwark Diocesan Association the Council made
an agreed contribution of £109 to a Central Fund out of which the
Metropolitan Boroughs' Standing Joint Committee made annual
grants to the various Moral Welfare Associations in London. During
the year 9 Battersea mothers were admitted to the homes maintained
by the Southwark Diocesan Association and stayed an aggregate of
451 days.
Home Helps.—During the year 56 cases were attended, the
cost to the Council being £257 14s. 5d.
In addition to the home help for confinement cases, in accordance
with Ministry of Health circular 110/46, domestic helps were
provided in cases of old age, infirmity and/or illness. 8 applicants
were provided with help of this nature.
In view of the difficulties of securing sufficient help to meet the
demands and to ensure adequate supervision the Council decided
to appoint an organiser for the Scheme. The appointment was not,
however, made by the end of the year.
St. Thomas' Babies Hostel.—Alderman Mrs. Bowler was reappointed
to represent the Council on a Committee of Management.
Work done. —In-patients 13 (2 mothers, 11 babies), total
stay 452 days. The annual grant of £400 per annum was continued
by the Council.