View report page

9
Handicraft Class.
The Committee maintains a Handicraft Class where patients
suffering from tuberculosis are taught to make articles which
they can sell. The class meets at the Wandsworth Dispensary
every Monday afternoon from 2.30 to 4.30 Prior to the outbreak
of war, a trained instructress conducted the class, but
it has not been possible to obtain her servivces since, so the
class is now conducted under the supervision of the Secretary
of the Committee, with assistance from those patients who have
become proficient in the work. The crafts taught include the
making of articles in leather, embroidery, knitting and the
making of gloves.
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
Of the 4,491 births which occured during the year, 4,071
or 90.64 per cent were visited by the Health Visitors. The;
total number of visits made by these officers for all purposes,
was 42,464. In addition they attended at Clinics, etc., on
2,934 occasions.
There are 10 Infant Welfare Centres, and nine Antenatal
Clinics in operation in the Borough. The number of
attendances made at these Clinics was 53,866 and 9,145 respectively.
Post-natal attendances were 507.
A Dental Clinic is held at the Municipal Buildings for
expectant and nursing mothers and children under five years
of age. Patients attending the Clinic are required to pay one
shilling each time they attend. If dentures are necessary,
the patients are assessed on their income in accordance with
a scale approved by the Council. 451 patients were seen for
the first time, and the number of attendances made at the
Clinic by all patients was 1,515. 104 women were granted assistance
towards the cost of their dentures, the Council contributing
£283 11s. Od.
The Council grants financial assistance to women who are
unable to pay for the attendance of a qualified midwife at
their confinements. Six women received assistance during the
year. Contributions are also made towards the charges made
by suitable, women who assist in the home during confinements.
Assistance was granted to 94 cases during 1943.
The Council provides a consultant to be at the service
of any doctor who desires him to see one of his patients
during pregnancy, at a confinement or during the lying-in
period. His services were utilised on one occasion during the
year.