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36
THE HYDE PARK BABIES' CLUB.
During the year a welfare centre on a contributory basis, for dealing with the class of
mother who does not attend a municipal centre, was opened, and I am indebted to Dr. Emslie,
the Medical Officer in charge, for the following note of the Club's activities.
The Hyde Park Babies' Club was opened in June, 1931, for a trial period of two months, and re-opened
in October on the basis of annual membership at a fixed subscription. The Club meets in part-time premises
very bright and airy, and overlooking the Park at 94, Lancaster Gate, W.2. It holds one medical consultation
and weighing session per week, conducted exactly as in the ordinary Infant Welfare Centre with home visiting
by arrangement, and lectures and practical classes for mothers and nurses at specified times. The Staff
consists of a Medical Officer of specialist infant welfare experience and a Sister-Superintendent with very
varied training in maternity and children's work. The fees vary from 3 guineas for a child under one year
to 2½ guineas for children over one year, 2 guineas for a second child in the same family, and 1 guinea for any
other child in one family. Home visits are available on the suggestion of the doctor or by direct application
to the Sister-Superintendent, and are paid for separately except the first which is free. Lectures are charged
for at a nominal rate, and are open (partly as a mode of interesting newcomers) to non-members of the Club.
These have been very largely attended and have been of particular use in attracting " nannies " who have no
previous knowledge of infant welfare work. The attendances at the Club sessions are arranged by appointment
and either mothers or " nannies" or both are present. No medical treatment is given and the Club doctor
may not be called in privately in case of illness unless in consultation with the private practitioner. No
foods or drugs are on sale at the Club, but there is a clothing stall from which garments may be purchased or
patterns obtained, and a bookstall and lending library for which an extra fee of 5s. per annum is charged, and
from which a large range of modern child health literature is obtainable. Club visits to institutions of special
interest to mothers, such as sun-bathing centres, milk depots, nursery schools, etc., occasionally take place.
The Club has attained a child membership of 30 in the part year it has been open, and members are being
attracted at an increasing rate. It aims at being self-supporting in a brief period, but at present receives
some help in the form of private donations. The Governing Committee is largely composed of mothers who
are members. The lack of funds limits the possibilities of making the Club known except by private recommendation
and at present too high a proportion of the babies are not brought under supervision till late in
their first year. Some method of getting into touch with the mother nearer her confinement is required,
and before her confinement, since classes are provided for expectant mothers. The regular attendances of
older children are very gratifying, and the Club is useful in many behaviour problems as well as for physical
supervision.
The Club receives the hearty co-operation of the Medical Officer of Health of Paddington and his staff,
and is grateful for opportunities of getting into touch with local births,
THE PADDINGTON INFANT SAVING CAMPAIGN.
The year was notable for the initiation of a new and unprecedented scheme for combating
infantile mortality. The Council is debarred by statute from establishing any form of general
domiciliary service by medical practitioners for infants and young children. The Paddington
Infant Saving Campaign seeks to make good this link in the chain by providing the services of a
doctor for any infant up to the age of twelve months, whose parents are unable to afford a
private doctor. Infants are taken into the scheme from the age of ten days up to the age of
three months, and the parents choose a doctor. The payment of the doctor is at the rate
of 16s. a year and in return for this he furnishes domiciliary attendance to the infant and
makes a report on its health to the medical officer of health twice a year. The Campaign is
financed entirely by voluntary contributions. On December 10th, 1931, there were 98 infants
enrolled and some fifty doctors had signified their willingness to co-operate.
Invalid Children's Aid Association
A grant of £10 in aid of the funds of the local branch of the Invalid Children's Aid
Association was made.
CONVALESCENCE.
Six nursing mothers with their babies were admitted to St. Mary's Convalescent Home,
Birchington-on-Sea, for varying periods of convalescence. In two cases the Council paid the
whole cost, in the other four contributions were made by the head of the family.
In sixteen instances the Council made grants towards the cost of children convalesced
by the Invalid Children's Aid Association, the total amount being £43 10s. 8d.
MATERNAL MORTALITY.
During the year twelve maternal deaths were enquired into by Dr. E. Dorothy Fenwick,
the Council's medical investigator, and reports thereon forwarded to the Maternal Mortality
Committee of the Ministry of Health.