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63
Day Nursery at 147, Warwick Street.—With the approval of the
Ministry of Health the City of Westminster Day Nursery Interim Committee
took over, on and from the 26th December, 1931, the administration
and maintenance of this day nursery. The administration and finances
of the nursery are now on a sound basis very largely owing to the
enthusiasm and untiring efforts of Mrs. J. F. C. Bennett, the hon.
secretary. The committee, which has had a most successful year, is now
directing its energies towards raising funds for acquiring larger premises.
The present building has long been inadequate for the needs of the
district.
Homes for Unmarried Mothers, etc.—The Council made a grant
of £75 to the Home of St. John the Baptist at Tulse Hill. This
home was formerly in the City, and cases from Westminster are eligible
for admission. The two other homes in the City which exist for a similar
purpose were mentioned in previous reports.
Supply of Milk.—Fresh and dried milk is supplied to certain cases
recommended by the medical officer of the maternity and child welfare
centre. Before the grants are made a standard of income laid down by
the Ministry must be proved. In some instances the weekly income
does not justify an award of free milk, but those cases may come within
the scale for milk at half price. The applications are considered by a
meeting of the ladies of the Maternity and Child Welfare Sub-Committee,
which takes place once a month at each centre. Grants are made for
a period of one month and are reconsidered for continuation at each
meeting. Preparations of dried milk are sold at cost price in connection
with the centres, 5,088 pounds being disposed of during the year. The
amount expended by the Council for fresh milk as extra nourishment
for mothers and infants amounted to £259 13s. 3d. This is considerably
greater than that spent last year and reflects the increasing degree of
unemployment prevailing. Cases in receipt of Public Assistance are not
eligible for the Council's extra nourishment Scheme, but it is hoped that
a scheme of co-operation with the Public Assistance Committee may be
worked out whereby mothers and infants in receipt of public assistance
may be referred to the centres for special recommendations for extra
nourishment on medical grounds. This extra nourishment will be
additional to any relief in kind and would then be provided by the
Public Assistance Committee.
Insulin Treatment.— One patient is still under treatment and the
cost to the Council for the year was £13.