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25
With regard to the Prince of Wales' National Relief Fund, it must be
quite clearly understood that this Fund has nothing to do with the
Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme of the Local Government Board.
The scheme, as laid down in the report of the Medical Officer of Health,
refers to cases which would not only benefit from assistance under the
Prince of Wales' Fund so far as the Ward and Care Committees are concerned,
but also to the visiting of all ante-natal cases in the Borough of
Poplar which would benefit under the conditions of the letter of the Local
Government Board, dated 30th July.
No relief in money or kind can be given under the Local Government
Board scheme except as treatment, which includes the supply of cod liver
oil, malt, drugs and very special infants' food for a brief period.
The Public Health and Housing Committee were of opinion the
Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme is a valuable one, and that advantage
should be taken of the proposed Government grant to extend
the work of the Council's Health Visitors, in conjunction with St.
Katherine's College and the Poplar Infant Care Association, in accordance
with the proposals of the Medical Officer of Health as outlined
in his letter to the Local Government Board, and conformably with
the scheme set out in the Board's memorandum.
The Public Health and Housing Committee recommended the
Council that the Scheme of the Medical Officer of Health in connection
with the Government Maternity and Child Welfare proposals be
approved generally for submission to the Local Government Board ;
that application be made for a grant in aid, including a moiety of the
salaries of the Council's Health Visitors, and that representations be made
to the Board that the Poplar Infant Care Association should participate
in the Government Grant.
In order that notification of expectant maternity cases may be
obtained, it is desirable that there should be co-operation with the School
Care Committees in the Borough. There are 40 Council Schools and 12
Non-provided Schools, each with its own Children's Care Committee.
The Public Health and Housing Committee recommended the
Council that a copy of the Report and resolution on the subject of the
Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme be forwarded to each School Care
Committee in the Borough with a request that the Committee will supply
the Medical Officer of Health with particulars relating to expectant
maternity cases, together with any suggestions of recommendations in
respect of such cases.
Leonard Potts,
Council Offices, Town Clerk.
High Street, Poplar.
October, 1914.