View report page

18
1922]
The sum expended for 1922 was £2,729 3s. 7d. (£15,822 3s. 9d. in 1921).
The result of the introduction of a more stringent scale, which commenced in July,
1921, showed that of this £15,823 3s. 9d., 80 per cent. was spent in the first half of the year
and 20 per cent. in the second half; hence the lesser amount in 1922 was due to this decrease
in the latter half of last year continuing; and also to the decrease in the cost of milk, and
to the continuance of the improved industrial conditions which existed during the last six
months of the year 1921.
The scheme for the distribution of milk was again altered by resolution of the Council
at their meeting on the 26th October, 1922. This resolution was passed as the Ministry
of Health wished a uniform scheme for the distribution of milk in the Metropolitan Boroughs,
and considered that in relation to the falling cost of liv ing the Islington scale was too high
The scale now is:
No. in
family. Free. Half-cost.
1 13/- after deduction of rent 15/- after deduction of rent
2 10/6 per head after deduction of rent 12/6 per head after deduction of rent
3 8/6 „ „ 10/- „ „
4 7/6 „ „ 8/6 „ „
5 7/- „ „ 8/- „ „
6 6/6 „ ,, 7/6 ,, „
CO-ORDINATION between the Voluntary Centres and the Medical Officer of Health
has been strengthened.
Public Health Department.— The Medical Officer of Health on receiving a
notification of birth sends to the parents a Centre leaflet inviting mothers in necessitous
circumstances to attend. Copies are sent to the Centres weekly of returns of deaths of
children under five years received from the local Registrars. When a lapsed case re-attends
the Centre, a report on the condition of the child in the intervening period is sent.
The Council's Health Visitors attend the Centre clinics once every week or every two
weeks to help in weighing babies, doing dressings, giving short health talks, selling dried
milk, or taking notes for the Medical Officer of the clinic at the consultations. By this last
item the Health Visitors arc enabled, in their district visitation, to give advice on similar
lines to mothers of babies who will attend or have keen attending.
The Voluntary Centres.—The Centres send weekly returns of new attendances
and re-attendances, giv ing names, address, date of birth, and since October for the purpose
of more easily tracing these children in our records, birth address and previous address
have been added. Monthly returns of children who are attending school and of those who
have lapsed are also sent. Weekly returns of "left the district" cases have been agreed
to by the Conjoint Centres Committee, and for those who have moved to a known address,
a short report as to illnesses and present condition is sent.
By means of returns, as far as possible, overlapping in visiting is prevented.
In closing, I wish to place on rccord my thanks to those of the Public Health staff who
have given me much willing assistance and more especially my appreciation of the Medical
Officer of Health's invaluable advice and guidance.