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CARE OF THE UNMARRIED MOTHER AND HER CHILD
Voluntary organisations provide accommodation in mother and baby homes for those
in need. Such organisations are supported by grants from the Council via the Health
and Welfare Committees. Expectant and nursing mothers admitted to such homes during
the year numbered 9. Financial assistance is also given to Moral Welfare Associations
providing service for residents of the Borough.
RESIDENTIAL ESTABLISHMENTS FOR CHILDREN IN CARE
The Health Department's visiting medical officers regularly attend at the
Children's Department's residential establishments to examine the children, treat
any cases of illness occurring and advise on medical aspects of child welfare,
hygiene and the prevention of infection. The department is also responsible for
the provision of relief nursing staff as required at these establishments.
SURVEYS
The department has taken part in a number of surveys during the year in association
with various research studies being carried out by the following bodies/authorities:-
Department of Social Medicine,
Oxford University: Survey of Childhood Cancers.
Department of Education and Science Survey of Physically Handicapped
children in ordinary schools.
Greater London Council,
Research and Intelligence Unit Spina Bifida.
National Child Development Study Childhood development.
Medical Research Council Measles.
DENTAL CARE FOR THE PRIORITY CLASSES
Section 22 of the National Health Service Act 1946 puts local authorities
under an obligation to provide dental care for children not yet at school and for
nursing and expectant mothers. The same dental officers and dental auxiliaries who
treat school children in the school health service carry out this part to their
work in the same clinics and at the same time as they treat the school children
under the school dental service. This arrangement for mixing sessions to enable
the family to attend together has proved popular and this service is available at
every dental surgery. Dental Auxiliaries are trained to treat very young children
as a speciality and it is to the dental auxiliaries on the staff that the majority
of pre-school children go.
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