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There were no Closures during the Year on account of infectious disease.
PROVISION OF MILK FOR NECESSITOUS MOTHERS AND CHILDREN.
Milk is given in the following cases:—
(a) Expectant mothers during the last three months of pregnancy.
(b) Nursing mothers.
(c) Children up to three years, also in exceptional cases children over three and under
five years of age.
The quantity of milk authorised does not exceed one pint per day except in the case of
children between 3 months and 18 months where a special medical certificate is furnished, and
in which case as much as 1½ pints per day may be authorised. One pound of dried milk is
considered to be the equivalent of 7 pints of fresh milk.
Applications are made at the Public Health Department at any time, when particulars
of the circumstances of the family are obtained. Whenever considered necessary wages, etc.,
are verified from the employer, and other enquiries instituted by the Investigation Officer.
Close touch is also maintained with the Board of Guardians and other sources of assistance.
A scale of income is appended which is used for the purpose of determining whether
applicants are to be regarded as necessitous, and as to whether milk shall be supplied free or
at half price. Where considered necessary, however, the Sub-Committee reserve the right to
deviate from such scale.
Before any case is recommended to the Committee, the Medical Officer of Health must be
satisfied that the supply is necessary on grounds of health. A special medical certificate is also
required in the case of children between 3 months and 18 months where more than 1 pint per
day is required or where any milk is required for children between 3 and 5 years of age. The
existence and duration of pregnancy must be verified by the signature of a doctor or midwife.
Applications for grants are considered in detail by the full Maternity and Child Welfare
Committee sitting as a " Grants " Sub-Committee, meetings being held practically every
fortnight. Pending the sitting of the Sub-Committee the Chairman may authorise emergency
grants. Grants take one or other of the following forms:—
(a) Fresh milk to Expectant or Nursing Mother or a child under 5 years of age (see first
paragraph) on an order issued on the usual dairyman supplying family;
(b) Dried Milk—supplied at the Welfare Centre attended by the infant; and
(c) Dinners (cut from joint, two vegetables and "sweet") to expectant or nursing
mothers partaken at approved restaurants.
The necessary orders are despatched on the evening of the day on which the Sub-Committee
sits, one copy to the tradesmen and one to the grantee. On the latter the following conditions
are printed:—
Milk supplied under this order is to be used only for the mother or child to whom the
milk has been granted. It is not to be given to other members of the family.