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and to render the whole lay-out as simple as possible. The temporary
premises at 9, Frith Street, go a long way to fulfil those requirements.
The centre was opened in August and Dr. Duncan Leys, B.A., M.B.,
Ch.B. (Oxon), M.R.C.P., was appointed to conduct one infant clinic
per week. This is held on Wednesdays. By arrangement with the
Westminster Health Society the services of Mrs. Steffens, who had previously
taught mothercraft for the Society in this area, were retained.
Two fully qualified health visitors, replacing two officials of the
Westminster Health Society, were appointed by the Council for the work
in this northern area as from 1st July, 1926.
The Westminster Health Sociei * relieved of their work in
tfr their efforts in St. Margaret
inadequate premises in Rochester Row
had Hampered them m this area for some time, and it now became possible
to proceed with the scheme for a new and model centre. On a site in
Page Street generously given by the Duke of Westminster a new centre
has been built, which replaces the one in Rochester Row. The building
was C( 1 1 v September and was- formally opened by the wife of the
Prime '-cription of it will be found in the annual
report J, ; carried on t1 to
develop and have an important relationship .of the Council
a few words concerning the structure are here added.
It is a two-storey building with a frontage of 56 feet in Page Street.
There s ample space on three of its sides, only one wall being a party
wall. The large flat roof affords space for a playground and solarium.
On the ground floor there is a broad hall-way, large waiting-room, three
smaller rooms, and two rooms for the resident caretaker. Central heating,
supplied from a boiler in the basement, runs throughout the building.
There are on the first floor a large room which can be divided by movable
partitions, and four smaller rooms, which serve as doctor's room, weighing
room, etc. Windows on three sides give all the rooms and passages a
generous supply of light and air. The general scheme of the centre, which
may be regarded as a model, was designed by experts of long experience
in maternity and child welfare, and it has attracted the interest of many
who are concerned with this work in various quarters of the globe. The
cost of the building amounted approximately to £5,530.
Consequent upon the decrease in the area over which the Society
worked it was found necessary to draw up a fresh agreement with that body.
By its terms the Society undertake to perform certain maternity and child
welfare duties on behalf of the Council in the wards of St. Margaret and
St. John, for which services the Council pay an annual grant of £350.