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27
If you have any ante-natal cases which you think would benefit
by visits under the scheme will you kindly let me know, and also
any recommendations or suggestion that you may desire to make.
Yours faithfully,
(Sgd.) Fredk. Wm. Alexander,
Medical Officer of Health.
The Public Health and Housing Committee had under consideration
the question of whether assistance, other than advice and medicines,
should be afforded in suitable necessitous cases under the Maternity and
Child Welfare Scheme. Expenditure for such purpose is not at present
authorized by the Local Government Board; but the Committee were of
opinion that power to give sustenance to mothers, other than in Poor
Law cases, would be a valuable adjunct to the scheme. If the Local
Government Board approve the proposal, one-half the cost would be met
by the Board from the Government Grant. The Committee recommended
the Council that strong representations be made to the Local Government
Board urging the pressing necessity for authorising in pre-natal and postnatal
cases intended to be assisted under the Maternity and Child Welfare
Scheme, the provision (outside the Poor Law) of sustenance for the mother
in suitable necessitious cases ; and that the cost of such provision should
rank for contribution from the Government grant.
The Public Health and Housing Committee had before them the
reference from the Council to re-consider the position of Miss Grant and
Miss Pankhurst in relation to the Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme
in the Borough.
The following report on the Scheme was submitted to the Committee,
viz.:—
"After lengthy and careful consideration and discussion the
Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme has now crystallized The
Borough has been divided into three portions—the Poplar Infant
Care Association undertaking the work south of East India Dock
Road; the Royal College of St. Katharine the work between East
India Dock Road and Bow Road; and the necessary work in the
sub-district of Bow will be performed by the two qualified Health
Visitors of the Public Health Department.
The sub-district of Bow contains the best residential portion
of the Borough, and the greater portion of the South Ward would
not require visitation, as, more especially that part west of Fairfield
Road in the Central Ward, there are few streets where the services
of a health visitor would be required. The Council's two Officers
will therefore concentrate their energies in the North and West
Wards of Bow.