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98
that they were, practically, each of the same size, and that, in
connection with each area, an approximately equal number of births
was to be allocated thereto annually, but rather on the ground of
efficient administration (due regard being paid to the social conditions
and amenities of the various districts concerned, and the convenience
of the mothers who would be likely to use such centres). The areas,
however, were fixed on the definite understanding that the Health
Visitors attached to each area would require to be in accordance with
the Government suggested standard as to staff required, viz., one
Health Visitor for every 400-500 births, thereby ensuring an approximately
equal number of births being dealt with by each of the Voluntary
Health Visitors throughout the Borough.
The majority of the areas were found to require only one Health
Visitor each for efficient administration, the Council's official staff of
Health Visitors giving assistance as required ; though the remaining
areas were found to require two Health Visitors, and, since then, in
one instance, three Health Visitors, each.
A tabulated statement, showing these twelve voluntary centres'
areas, with the total notified births for the year 1923 in each area,
and particulars of the boundaries of the areas, together with the
numbers of Voluntary Health Visitors attached to each centre, etc.,
has been prepared, and forms an addendum to this Report.
When the Scheme was first inaugurated, each voluntary welfare
centre was left to manage its own administration through a local
voluntary committee, with its own elected officers (including Medical
Officers and Health Visitors), the salaries being, and to be, paid by
such centre, as well as all other expenses of equipment and maintenance,
assisted by a grant in aid from the then Local Government
Board. As time went on, and the Scheme proved a success, the
expenses for yearly maintenance of the various voluntary centresincreased
pro rata, and to such an extent that the systematic giving of
yearly maintenance grants, not only by the Government, but also, in
addition, by the Borough Council, became a necessity, if the various
local welfare voluntary centres were to continue their useful work.
Consequently, the systematic giving of annual grants by the Borough
Council was started in 1918, and has been continued since.