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1922] 14
the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Maternity and
Rescue Homes, with the numerous other Welfare Centres in and adjoining the
Borough attended by Islington mothers and children, as well as the Almoners
of the Hospitals where Islington children are under treatment. Co-operation with
the Guardians respecting children under their care has had considerable attention,
and it is hoped that this will be satisfactorily arranged by next year.
3. Milk Scheme.—Irrespective of whether applicants are on Council or Voluntary
Centres' Registers (see page 17).
The Staff (Maternity and Child Welfare, exclusive of Milk Scheme) includes 7 Health
Visitors, 1 part-time Clerk, and 1 whole-time (temporary) Clerk.
The yearly summary of Health Visitors' work is submitted in tabular form on page 19.
12,292 families were visited. 18,661 being the grand total of visits paid.
Comparing the totals for 1921 and 1922 (19,279 against 18,661 visits), the difference is
only 607 less for 1922 in spite of the loss of time for visiting due to increase of clerical work
on account of re-organisation as well as longer periods of absence of Health Visitors on
account of accidents and sickness.
On March 31, 1923, it was found that the total number of cases on the visiting
list was 12,794
the number of cases on the Voluntary Centre books being 4,469
17,263
The estimated population of children under five years is of age 28,860
The Voluntary Centres in Islington Borough hold ante-natal and post-natal clinics,
with educational and other activities, and carry on home visitation of mothers and children
attending these clinics. As the Council realise and appreciate the valuable work of the
voluntary centres they have allocated an estimated grant of £4,400 for the year ending
December 31, 1923.
The number of cases on the Voluntary Centres' books at the end of the year was 4,469
(according to the Medical Officer of Health's reading)—see table under "Tabular Statistics.''
On the other hand, the Council's seven Health Visitors had 12,794 cases on their books.
This is at the proportion roughly of 1 : 3. The Municipal part of the Scheme, deducting
that carried on under the Milk Scheme, does not cover such a wide area of activities, yet the
administrative and Health Visitors' work occupies the entire energies of the Maternity
and Child Welfare staff, and if the work were reckoned on the basis of children dealt with
the grant should be £12,000, but the estimated grant is £3,378, or roughly one quarter (J)
of this amount. The figure is arrived at as follows:
Total estimated grant £12,380
Estimated grant to Voluntary Centres £4,400
Estimated grant to Milk Scheme 4,602
9,002
£3,378