View report page

8
Maternity and Child Welfare.
Much increased work has been carried out during the year in connection
with maternity and child welfare and the attendances at all the Centres have
increased. Arrangements were made for the provision of a permanent
Maternity Centre at No. 10, John Street, formerly one of the two public
libraries in the Borough, and this year the arrangements were extended to
include an Ante Natal Clinic, a Dental Clinic and two baths for the use of
mothers attending the Council Centres. This new Centre was completed and
opened the beginning of May, 1919.
In accordance with the provisions of the Maternity and Child Welfare
Act, 1918, the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee was continued and
now consists of fifteen members, seven of whom are women qualified by
training or experience in subjects relating to health and maternity, two of the
seven being Councillors.
The number of births during the year was 539. Of 485 children
visited for the first time during the year 102 attended the Centre at
10, John Street, 44 attended the Branch Centre at 45, Short's Gardens,
21 at the Passmore Edwards Settlement Centre (used conjointly with
South St. Pan eras), 6 at the Saffron Hill Centre, 1 at Myddleton Square,
1 at the Royal Free Hospital, and 7 at Charing Cross Hospital, a total of 182.
In addition to these it is known that others, after these first visits, attended
some of the non-Holborn Borough Council Centres, so that more than onethird
attended a centre.
Mothers attending the Centres at John Street and Short's Gardens took
part in the National Mothercraft Competition in June and second place in
this was won by the John Street Centre. An Exhibition of work done by
mothers was held at John Street and prizes and certificates were distributed
as well as those won in the " Baby Competition."
On May 23rd the premises were used for the first heat in the "Daily
Sketch" competition, and one Holborn baby was selected for competition in
the second heat.
Some of the mothers also competed for the Rhondda Mothercraft
Challenge Shield, the selected essay being specially commended by the judge.
Since the year 1906 arrangements have been made for the supply of prepared
milk, for infants who cannot be breast fed, at a reduced rate per day on
production of a Certificate from me. This milk was used by 69 infants,
including 21 who were still taking the milk at the beginning of 1919. The
results, when prepared milk is properly used are most satisfactory. Of the 48
new certificates issued during the year, 30 were for full price payments and
18 necessitous mothers were assisted.