View report page

23
Convalescent Home.-—In my last Annual Report I drew the
attention of the Town Council to the need which existed for
some convalescent home to which we could send mothers and
babies after illness. At the present time money is subscribed
voluntarily for the purpose of retaining a cot in some convalescent
home, and babies are sent to this, as accommodation becomes
available. Such an arrangement is better than nothing;
but we might do far more. I hope that in future schemes for
extending Maternity and Child Welfare Work, the need for a
convalescent home will not be disregarded.
Various.—During the year the Borough has obtained a new
Motor Ambulance, which is used, among other purposes, for
the transport of mothers who reside in Highgate to Brook Road
Maternity Centre.
During l924 I have visited Brook "Road Centre on special
occasions for the purpose of taking blood from mothers and
babies for whom a Wassermann Blood Test appears to be desirable.
This arrangement has proved of considerable value, and
has saved the patients a journey to some London Hospital.
Voluntary Workers.—A number of ladies give devoted service
at both our Centres, and if it were not for their help the work
at the Centres would greatly suffer. They assist in the weighing
of babies, in record keeping, in the various classes for mothers
and in other matters; and it is largely owing to their unselfish
work and untiring activity that our Centres continue to be so
successful and so deservedly popular.
Milk (Mothers and Children) Orders.—After careful investigation
of cases, milk is allowed free or at half-price to pregnant
women and nursing mothers and to children under one year
of age. During the year 344 applications for milk were received,
and of these 303 were granted, the remainder being refused.
Milk from a dairy, or dried milk, is given according to the needs
of the case.
Home for Unmarried Mothers.—There is a small but
admirable home situated in Upper Tollington Park where unmarried
mothers are received and cared for until and after their
confinements. This home receives a grant from the Town
Council, and the mothers and babies attend the Maternity
Centre in Wightman Road.