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24
Retrospect.—It is interesting to observe how our Maternity
and Child Welfare Work has grown from small beginnings into
what it is to-day. Every indication points to further increase
in the future. The following summary gives a short history of
our progress from 1916 to the present time: —
The first Maternity and Child Welfare Centre was opened at
Brook Boad in October, 1916, with one Health Visitor and
Dr. Flora Shepherd as part-time Lady Doctor. Two afternoon
Sessions were held per week by the Doctor with a weekly HealthTalk
by the Health Visitor.
During the first full year of working (1917) the attendance
of babies was 3,751, with an average per session of 37.9, the
number of babies seen by the Doctor was 2,207, the average
being 23.3 per session. 106 Mothers were seen by the Doctor,
and 1,720 Visits were paid by the Nurse to Mothers and Babies.
In June, 1918, a second Centre was opened at Wightman
Boad with one Health Visitor and Dr. Flora Shepherd as parttime
Lady Doctor.
In 1918 the Sessions were increased to three per week on
the opening of the second Centre.
The attendances increased at Brook Boad to 4,120, with an
average of 59.7; the number of babies seen by the Doctor being
2,002, with an average per session of 29.0, and the number of
Mothers seen by the Doctor was 429, with an average of 6.2
per session.
The number of Babies attending Wightman Boad Centre
during the half-year in which it was opened was 1,119, the
average per session being 38.7; the number of Babies seen by
the Doctor was 706, and the average was 243 per session. 252
Mothers were seen by the Doctor, the average per session being
5.2.
The total number of Visits paid to Mothers and Babies
attending both Centres was 2,537.
In May, 1919, a second Health Visitor was appointed for
Brook Boad Centre, and the number of sessions was increased
for part of the year to three at Brook Boad and two
at Wightman Boad.