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64
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE
DEVELOPMENTS.
Children under School Age.
We are now reaching, if indeed we have not already
reached, the limits of possible activity with our existing
staff and premises for Maternity and Child Welfare
purposes. The latter is perhaps the more urgent
problem. Thornton Hall cannot be regarded as a
satisfactory Welfare Centre and alternative premises,
preferably under the direct control of the Council,
are urgently needed in this part of the district.
This question was again brought into prominence
arising from a joint circular letter from the Minister
of Health and the President of the Board of Education
with reference to the serious defects often observed in
young children upon their entrance to school. It was
pointed out that such defects might be largely prevented
by more adequate supervision before the children reached
school age and local authorities were urged to review
their existing provision for the needs of these children.
The report I submitted to the Public Health Committee
on this subject falls into the events of 1930.