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Particulars of Extra Nourishment Grants During 1938.
(1937 figures in brackets.)
The total number of cases considered by the "Grants" Sub-Committee during the year was
6,578 (3,883), of which 1,393 (987) represented new applications. These latter were dealt with as
follows:—
Number of
New Applications.
Granted.
Refused, withdrawn or referred
to Public Assistance Committee.
1,393 (987)
1,215 (854)
178 (133)
The expenditure incurred during the year in connection with the issue of grants of fresh and
dried milks, butter, eggs, ancillary foods, medicines, etc., amounted to £3,648 10s. 6d.
(£1,697 17s. 8d.)
The reception into the Borough of a large number of migratory necessitous families, referred
to in previous Reports, would appear to persist.
Seven hundred and fifty-two families hitherto unknown to the Department applied for grants
during the year, as compared with four hundred and twenty-two in 1937.
CONVALESCENCE.
On the 26th November, 1936, the Council approved the reservation of a bed at Mayfield (Sussex)
Convalescent Home at a cost of £80 per annum, which was increased to £90 per annum from the
1st April, 1938. Eighteen mothers with their babies were sent for convalescence during the year.
The home was closed at the end of the year, the National Association of Maternity and Child
Welfare Centres having found it impossible to continue on a satisfactory financial basis.
In addition, fifteen mothers with their babies, and two children without their mothers, were
referred to other homes at a nett cost to the Council of £33 9s. 6d., the payments by patients totalling
£4 8s. 6d.
In 41 instances the Council made grants towards the cost of children convalesced by the Invalid
Children's Aid Association.
A grant of £15 in aid of the funds of the local branch of the Invalid Children's Aid Association
was made.
MATERNAL MORTALITY.
During the year four maternal deaths were enquired into by Dr. E. R. Emslie, Assistant
Medical Officer for Maternity and Child Welfare, and reports thereon forwarded to the Ministry of
Health.
CHILD LIFE PROTECTION.
Miss M. A. MacLean continues to act in the dual office of Health Visitor and Child Protection
Visitor, her duties in the latter respect occupying three-fourths of her time.
In addition, other Health Visitors act as occasion requires and the Medical Officer of Health,
the Assistant Medical Officer (M.C.W.) and two of the Male Sanitary Inspectors are also authorised
to exercise the powers and duties of Child Protection Visitors for special purposes.