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The chief changes owing to the outbreak of war are referred
to hereunder.
Maternity Services. —As mentioned in the introductory
remarks, the Maternity Home provided by the Council was closed
at the outbreak of war, and at the year end no decision had been
reached with regard to its re-opening.
Towards the end of the year as a result of the closure of the
Home and other factors, it was found necessary to increase the
provision of Home Helps in the area.
Arrangements previously in existence with the Invalid Children's
Aid Association regarding the provision of convalescent home
treatment were in operation throughout the year. Some dislocation
was necessarily occasioned during the early weeks of the war
period, but by December the demand in this direction was being
sufficiently provided for.
Health Visitors.—More home visiting has been possible
in individual cases because of evacuation and the taking over of
one welfare centre completely for use as a First-Aid Post. Immediately
prior to, and for some weeks following the declaration
of war, a portion of the health visiting staff was necessarily retained
for almost continuous duty supervising First-Aid Post personnel.
At the end of the year the position had become more or less stabilised,
the majority of the health visitors being allocated to First-Aid
Posts in a part-time capacity, but devoting practically the whole
of the usual time to their normal functions.
Artificial Sunlight Treatment Clinics, though reduced in
number, have still been available.
The Special Women's Clinic, established early in the year, was
discontinued at the outbreak of war.
The proposed establishment of a central dental clinic was
held in abeyance. Following a short period during which dental
sessions were discontinued, these facilities were provided on a
reduced basis. At the end of the year four sessions per month
were available.
The following table indicates briefly the extent of the work
of the centres and clinics during 1939.