London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Greenwich 1968
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough]
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124
Following confinement, most mothers returned to the Mother and
Baby Homes, some rejoined their families while others preferred
to find lodgings. Occasionally, mothers requested the Children's
Department to arrange for the adoption of their babies. However,
where the mother wished to rear her child, every assistance was
given by the health visitors with priority admission to a Day
Nursery or recommendation to known child minders.
During 1968, 134 women contacted the undermentioned Moral
Welfare Organisations in Greenwich:—
Southwark Catholic Children's Society 12
Southward Diocesan Association 122
Compiled from information supplied by the Registrar- General and the G.L.C., the following table gives the total number of illegitimate births in the Borough during the current year and indicates the numbers and ages of mothers seeking advice and assistance:—
| Illegitimate Births | A ges of Mothers | Number Seeking Help |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Under 15 years | — |
| 107 | 15—19 | 66 |
| 126 | 20—24 years | 57 |
| 46 | 25—29 years | 10 |
| 30 | 30—34 years | — |
| 20 | 35 years and over | 1 |
| — | Not known | — |
| 332 | Totals | 134 |
Of the total of 134 women seeking help some 11 or 8.2% were
already pregnant on their arrival in London.
Rehabilitation of Mothers
On occasions mothers become anxious about breast feeding
difficulties or are confronted with infant dietetic troubles. In
suitable cases arrangements can be made for mothers of young
children to be sent (with or without their children) to a recuperative
centre for a residential course in mothercraft. For these purposes
the Council makes use of the Violet Melchett Mothercraft Unit and
the normal period of training ranges from four to six weeks. A
weekly charge is made according to the financial circumstances of
the parents.
The services of this organisation were not made use of during
the current year.