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A period of grace was allowed of three months from the date on which Section 60 came into
operation before an offence against the amended provision was committed, consequently few
persons now brought within its scope were registered this year.
Details of registrations are given on page 96.
CLINIC CENTRES
There are 6 clinic centres in the borough, 3 school treatment centres and 7 combined clinic
and school treatment centres. In connection with this year's programme of improvements to
premises, solid fuel boilers for space and domestic heating were converted to or replaced by
gas fired boilers in four clinic centres, and in the four day nurseries.
To facilitate mothers living on the Isle of Dogs inattending child welfare sessions, with
the co-operation of the Baths Committee and with the assistance of the Baths Manager, a branch
of the Island Clinic Centre was opened at the Tiller Road Baths where child welfare clinic
sessions are held now on alternate weeks.
Additional toddlers sessions arranged this year numbered four per month. Following an
offer made by the Education Officer of the Inner London Education Authority an English language
class for immigrant mothers was inaugurated in June at one of the Clinic Centres, acreche
session being held simultaneously to care for the children whilst the mothers received
instruction. An average attendance of four mothers at each session can hardly be rated as very
successful, although it is considered somewhat of an achievement to persuade Indian and
Pakistani women to attend at all, since the majority seldom venture out of their homes other
than to purchase food.
Section 6 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 enables Boards of Governors of
Teaching Hospitals, subject to the Minister's approval, to make arrangements with a local health
authority to provide specialist services at clinic centres. Regional Hospital Boards have
had this power since 1948.
CRECHES
Children can be placed in creches for an afternoon at many of the clinic centres by mothers
who wish to attend the mothers' club or sewing class at the centre or who have hospital
appointments
Creches also provide facilities for mothers to be relieved of their children for 2 or 3
hours during the day; they also provide an opportunity for an only child to associate with other
children of the same age,
No charge is made where the mother is attending a centre activity, but a charge of l/9d.
per session is made if the mother wishes to leave her child there whilst she attends to shopping
or other domestic duties.
Creches are provided at nine clinic centres, six additional sessions per month being
provided at two centres. Attendances numbered 6,788 compared with 5,860 last year.
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