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

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Paddington 1936

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

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36
4. To see that the infant is properly fed and cared for. and, if possible, put to sleep in
a separate cot.
5. To wash and dry the labour clothes as soon as possible, and to keep the ordinary
clothes washed in the usual way; to get meals and tidy the house as the patient would, were
she not for the time laid aside.
6. To oare for any other children there may be, and see that school children attend
punctually, and are clean and tidy.
7. Should the Home Help in any way come into contact with a case of infectious disease,
either in her own home, the home of the patient, or elsewhere, she must at once report the
matter to the Medical Officer of Healtih.
8. On the day following the confinement, the Home Help must notify the Medical Officer
of Health (Town Hall, Paddington, W.2) that she has commenced her duties.
9. Any conduct on the part of the Home Help which is contrary to the interests of the
person she is helping, may lead to her name bing removed from the list of Home Helps, and
render her liable to forfeit the payment due to her.
Contraceptive Advice.—In June, 1934, the Council decided that arrangements be made with
the North Kensington Women's Welfare Centre for the giving of contraceptive advice to expectant
and nursing mothers who are married and who are already in attendance at a maternity and child
welfare centre of the Council, such advice to be given only in cases where another pregnancy would
be detrimental to health. The recommendations of the medical officers of the Centres are submitted
to the appropriate Sub-Committee and where considered necessary, grants towards the cost of the
advice (10s.) are made. During the year 34 necessitous women were referred to the Centre for
advice, the cost in each case being payable by the Council.
Councillors Lady Bonham Carter and Mrs. Paterson have been elected as the Council's representatives
on the Committee of the North Kensington Women's Welfare Centre.
X-Ray Examinations.—Arrangements are in force with the Paddington Tuberculosis Dispensary
for the use of their facilities for X-ray examinations of expectant mothers and of children attending
the Ante-natal and Welfare Centres. 13 examinations were made during the year, 7 being of
expectant mothers and 6 of children, the fee for the former cases being 15s. and for the latter 7s. 6d.
per patient.
Unmarried Mothers and Their Children.—With a view to securing closer supervision of
unmarried mothers in the early days of motherhood and, where desirable, affording facilities for
breast feeding of their infants, the co-operation of the Paddington and St. Marylebone Ladies' Association
for Rescue and Preventive Work has been enlisted and the Council make grants to the
Association towards the cost of detaining in their Homes for varying periods such unmarried
mothers and their babies. Six cases were assisted during the year by grants amounting to
£44 15s. Od.
Baby Hospital, Ladbroke Square.—The Council, on the 21st March, 1933, decided to make
provision of four beds at the Baby Hospital, Ladbroke Square, for the reception of ailing infants
recommended for treatment there by the Medical Officers of the Council's Welfare Centres, at a cost
of £400 per annum. The beds became available on the 1st May in that year. On the 1st April,
1935, the number of beds was reduced to 2, and the grant therefor to £200 per annum.
Six children were admitted during the year, one being subsequently re-admitted on two occasions,
the periods of treatment ranging from 22 weeks to 2½ weeks.
Special attention is paid by the Medical Officers of Centres, and the Health Visitors, etc., to
children after their discharge.
Beauchamp Lodge Emergency Home for Children.—Arrangements can be made for the admission
of children to this home whilst the mothers are in hospital. The charge therefor is 12s. 6d. per
week per child. In two instanoes it was found necessary to make use of these facilities, and the three
children concerned were admitted at a cost of £5 15s. Od.