View report page

19
THE LADY PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS.
With the kind permission of the Rector a Public Meeting was
held in the Assembly Rooms, Defoe Road, in April, with the object
of adding to the diminished number of the Voluntary Public Health
Workers, and as the result seven ladies volunteered their services, each
lady undertaking to carry out the scheme for the reduction of infantile
mortality in respect of the selected cases referred to her. Most of
the ladies volunteered to take the greater part or the whole of two
streets.
There were enquiries and visits made during the year relating
to 181 separate births. Slightly over 70 per cent, of these infants were
being breast-fed. Many of the mothers were found to be in great
need of advice, and the advice given was generally welcomed and
appreciated. The Borough of Stoke Newington stands tinder a
great obligation to these voluntary health workers. The following
are the conditions which it has hitherto been found possible to
impose upon the voluntary workers:
Each Public Health Worker is expected to devote two half-days
a week to the work.
The Medical Officer of Health is at the service of any Public
Health Worker for any further advice or instruction she may desire.
He is to be seen at the Town Hall from half-past 10 to half-past 12;
and his room at the Town Hall is, during the afternoon, at the convenience
of any Public Health Worker who may wish to use it for
writing purposes.
The Public Health Workers are asked to meet on the first
Monday of each month at the Town Hall at 4 p.m. in order that
reports may be considered, and any matters affecting the work may
be discussed.
The various kinds of visits which the Public Health Worker is
asked to make may be classified under the following heads:
1. Visits to houses in which a baby has recently been born,
and where it is judged the people stand in need of advice. In this
b 2