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County Council. In-patient midwifery is arranged under agreements with
the Borough Council and St. Bartholomew's, City of London Maternity and
the Royal Northern Hospitals. The total number of cases admitted for
confinement in 1940 was 51. Ante-natal attendances numbered 2,369; postnatal
attenances 127.
Midwifery Consultants. The Council maintains a panel of midwifery consultants.
Emergency obstetric units are maintained by the University
College Hospital and St. Bart's.
Extra Nourishment Grants - the Council have maintained their scheme for
the grants of extra nourishment to expectant and nursing mothers and
children under 5 years of age. During the year 1940 2,213 grants were
made, an average of 185 per month. 366 families received these grants
and the grants comprised 34,169 pints of milk, 2,305 lbs. of dried milk
and 16,784 dinners. The coming into operation in July 1940 of the
National Milk Scheme which provides for the supply of liquid milk free
or at 2d per pint according to income to all expectant and nursing
mothers and to children under 5 years, and for the supply of dried milk
to infants under 12 months, had the effect of considerably modifying
the Council's scheme especially in relation to liquid milk grants.
Convalescent Treatment. From the outbreak of war it was not possible
for further cases to be taken for convalescent treatment, the position
of the Homes rendering it impossible for them to carry on their normal
services.
Home Helps. The Council maintains a panel of Home Helps to assist in
the homes of necessitous mothers during their confinement.
Day Nursery. During the year the evacuated Day Nursery remained at
Chalford Hill, Stroud (residence of Dr, Dunscombe, late Medical Officer
of Health). An agreement was reached between the Finsbury council and
the Gloucestershire County Council whereby the ultimate administrative
responsibility, supervision and arrangements for the welfare of the
children was vested in Gloucestershire County Council. The Maternity
and Child Welfare Committee of this council was, under this arrangement
however, still to preserve their interests in the Nursery. At the
close of the year there were 12 children over 2 years and 6 under 2 years
resident at the Nursery.
Dental Treatment is provided at the Leage Street Maternity and Child
Welfare Centre. Total patients numbered 143; total attendances 414.
These are in addition to cases dealt with at the Health Centre.
Puerperal Pyrexia and Puerperal Fever. Two cases of puerperal pyrexia
and two cases of puerperal fever were notified during 1940.
Maternal Mortality. There were two deaths attributable to diseases
normally associated with childbirth.
Health Visitors and Child-Life Protection. The number of visits paid
by the Health Visitors was 6,338 to babies and 8,511 to children; in
addition, 18 systematic visits to the few foster-children in the Borough.
Visits were also paid by the nurses employed by voluntary institutions to
the number of 2,969.
Municipal Welfare Centres. The work of the Municipal Maternity and Child
Welfare Centres has continued on the lines laid down in previous Reports,
the mothers, children and babies attending and attendances made, being as
follows:-
Centre
Mothers
Children 1-5 years
Babies
Leage Street
248
462
261 (individuals)
1,990 (attendances)
573
2,807
Pine Street
237
290
269 (individuals)
312
1,723
2,241 (attendances)