London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Paddington 1929

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Paddington, Metropolitan Borough of]

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31
DAY NURSERIES.
At the end of the year 1929, there were two day nurseries in Paddington, situated
at No. 66, Lancefield Street, Queen's Park, W.10, and No. 21, Howley Place, W.2.

Statistical Summary.

Queen's Park.Howley Place.
Full days.Saturdays-Full days.Saturdays-
Days open2434523840
Attendances5,2942948,129695
Average attendance2163415
New Children
4789

Cases of Infectious Disease.

Diphtheria
Scarlet Fever4
Measles_
Whooping Cough2
Chicken-pox3

There were no Closures during the Year on account of infectious disease
On April 30th, 1929, the Council accepted the assignment of the lease of the premises
No. 66, Lancefield Street, occupied by the Queen's Park Day Nursery, under the bequest
of the late Miss N. L. Bruce. The premises are now let to the Committee of the Queen's
Park Day Nursery at an annual rental.
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 when not attending school.
Before any case is considered the Medical Officer of Health must be satisfied that the
supply is necessary on grounds of health. In the case of an expectant mother the existence
and duration of pregnancy must be verified by the signature of a doctor or midwife.
The quantity of milk authorised varies with the need of the mother or infant concerned.
Usually one pint per day is granted to an expectant mother and to a nursing mother, unless
she be nursing twins when one quart is allowed. The bottle-fed baby, also, normally has
the same quantity up to about the sixth month of its age but thereafter this is increased
to 1£ or 2 pints per day when the necessity is certified by the medical officer of a Welfare
Centre. In cases where dried milk is prescribed one packet (one pound) is considered the
equivalent of seven pints of milk.
The " Grants" Sub-Committee has latterly made a practice of insisting on the
attendance periodically of the infants on grant at one or other of the welfare centres and the
issue of at least one medical certificate of necessity every three months.
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 all 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 for guidance in deciding 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.
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 dairyman usually supplying the family ;