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29 [1938
SOUTH ISLINGTON MOTHERS' AND BABIES' WELFARE CENTRE.
Centre : 6, Clephane Road, N.l.
" Rose " Branch : 15, Popham Road, N.l.
Canonbury Branch, held at 100, Canonbury Road, N.l.—(Transferred in
1939 to 6, Clephane Road, N.l.).
The Centre has joined the Federated Superannuation Scheme for Nurses. The
Centre will be responsible for the Employers' share of the premiums, and two of
the present Staff and all the Nurses engaged in future will come under the Scheme.
The Committee has made suitable arrangements for the remaining members of the
Nursing Staff.
The Canonbury Branch will have to move from 100, Canonbury Road as the
house is being pulled down to make way for the Community Centre (Mary Ward
Settlement). Accommodation is being provided for the Centre's Branch in the new
building and in the meantime the Consultations for the Canonbury Mothers will be
held at Clephane Road. This is an inconvenient arrangement and will give some of
the mothers a long way to come, but is the only arrangement possible for the time
being.
The Garden School has continued to justify its existence. The children attend
regularly and benefit by the fresh air and regular occupations.
It has been difficult to find a sufficient number of satisfactory vacancies for the
convalescence of small children. The Home at Flamstead has continued to prove
beneficial for the Mothers and babies.
EAST ISLINGTON MOTHERS' AND BABIES' WELFARE CENTRE.
Centre : 32, Drayton Park, N.5.
Branch at Highbury Quadrant Mission Hall, Hurlock Street, N.5.
Owing to the sudden death of one of our Medical Officers, two vacancies occurred
on the staff. Dr. Odling-Smee was appointed for the Clinic for children under 5, and
Dr. C. W. Kimbell for the Ante-natal and Post-natal Clinic.
Great efforts had been made for some years to persuade all mothers to attend
a Post-natal Clinic six or eight weeks after the birth of their babies, unless they were
already under medical supervision. During this past year, the Ante-natal and Postnatal
Clinics have developed considerably, and six are now held each month.
All expectant mothers are weighed at each visit and routine tests for the presence
of anaemia are performed. Owing to unemployment, malnutrition and poor social
conditions a moderate degree of anaemia is very prevalent.
Recognition of the existence of such an anaemia can make considerable difference
to the general well-being of the mother after her confinement. Wherever necessary,
nursing mothers are helped with regard to diet and also in the arrangement of suitable
convalescence.