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Every quarter, a list is compiled of those who have not used
their vouchers and the Health Visitors pay a round of special visits to
persuade the mothers to see that their children receive necessary
treatment.
IX.—Milk Assistance Scheme.
The Council's Scheme for the provision of free or half cost
dried milk for infants and nursing and expectant mothers was
continued during the year. The age of children eligible for
assisted milk was raised from 2 to 3 years of age and expectant
mothers received milk at any stage of pregnancy and not only in the
last 3 months as previously. The scale of family incomes
eligible for assisted milk has also been revised so as to include a
larger number of families whose wage earners do not receive incomes
sufficient to provide adequate supplies of milk for the mothers and
children under 3 years. A satisfactory arrangement with the Public
Assistance department is also working in the case of families in
receipt of relief who require an extra milk allowance.
With the growth of the L.C.C. housing estates in the Borough
and the consequent increase in the number of applicants for assisted
milk the Council decided to decentralise the distribution of this milk
from the Health Centre, Lewisham. This has entailed the appointment
of a milk clerk and the co-operation of some of the Voluntary
Welfare Committees so that milk can be distributed to necessitous
mothers at the ordinary welfare sessions and the milk depots. The
scheme has so far worked well and the mothers much appreciate
the convenience of collecting their weekly supplies of milk from
the Centres or depots nearest their homes.
All applications for milk have to be received monthly on the
form provided and the applicant must be seen by the doctor or
Health Visitor except in cases of illness. All applications are
considered by the Maternity and Child Welfare Sub-Committee and
during the year under review, this Sub-Committee authorised 5,871
grants of dried milk for 4 weeks free of charge, and 985 grants at
half cost. Altogether 29,318 lbs. of dried milk were issued at a cost
to the Council of £1,990.