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
Holborn 1928
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Holborn Borough]
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104
During the year 252 applicants received free or assisted milk under the scheme.
This number included 140 who were receiving such assistance at the end of 1927.
Grants were made in 112 new cases. At the end of the year 1928, 87 cases were
receiving assistance, viz.:—
Mothers. Children. Total.
Free milk 25 56 81
Half price milk 2 2 4
Prepared milk 2 2
27 60 87
The following table shows 112 new cases assisted in 1928:—
| Milk. | Prepared Milk. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free. | Part Cost. | Free. | Part Cost. | |
| Expectant Mothers | 23 | 1 | — | — |
| Nursing Mothers | 13 | 5 | — | — |
| Children | 46 | 5 | 15 | 4 |
Home Help.
The Council's Home Help attended 24 cases during the year in comparison
with 21 in the year 1927. In 13 of these the whole-time officer attended entirely
and in 6 she attended during the earlier part of the lying-in period, being replaced
later by one of the Home Helps from the emergency panel in order to take over
new cases. In 5 cases emergency Home Helps only were employed. The latter
were engaged when more than one case occurred at the same time and during the
absence of the Home Help on summer vacation and sick leave.
All applications for the services of the Home Help are considered by the
Assistance Sub-Committee of the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee.
In 5 cases of extreme necessity the services of the Home Help were granted
free. In all other cases the applicants were required to contribute towards the cost,
contributions ranging from 5s. Od. per week up to the full cost. The services of the
Home Help have been much appreciated; it has been found that the Council's
provision meets a much felt want in the Borough.
Convalescent Homes.
Two applicants for convalescent home treatment for mothers and their babies
were granted in comparison with 4 in the previous year. One application was
subsequently withdrawn as the baby died before admission to convalescent home
could be arranged. In the case sent away a contribution towards cost was required.
Five applications were granted for convalescent home treatment for children.
In 1 case the application was subsequently withdrawn because the parents could
not pay towards the cost. Four children were sent away in comparison with 6
in 1927. All of these were sent to the Hopedene Convalescent Home at Barnet, by
the kind co-operation of Sister Hope of the West London Mission, Kingsway. In
1 case the child was sent away free, and in 3, contributions were required towards
the cost,