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10
The Council grants financial assistance to women who are
unable to pay for the attendance of a qualified midwife at
their confinements. One woman 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 75 cases during 1945.
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 confinlement or during the lying-in
period. His services were not utilised during the year.
An emergency obstetric unit is maintained by the London
County Council, and is available to doctors and midwives on
request. The object of the service, is to deal with acute
obstetric emergencies in connection with maternity cases which
could not be moved to hospital without undue risk. The unit
was utilised on six occasions during the year.
The Ministry of Food Welfare (Foods) Schemes provide
that all children and expectant mothers holding a green ration
book are entitled to receive one pint of liquid milk a day at
2d. a pint. They can also obtain the following vitamin foods:—
cod liver oil, orange juice, and vitamin tablets. The latter
are for expectant mothers only. The Scheme is administered
by the Ministry of Food through the local food offices.
10 children have been sent to Convalescent Homes at a
cost, to the Council of £58. 10s. Od.
209 children under school age suffering from minor ailments
were referred to the London County Council for treatment.
The cost to the Borough Council for this service was
£40. 12s. Od.
A clinic for artificial sunlight and massage for children
under five years of age when recommended by the Infant
Welfare Centres and hospitals, is held at the Municipal Buildings
on Tuesdays and Fridays at 2 p.m. During the year, 160
children were seen at the Clinic, and they mdde 1,549 attendances.
8 women attended the Clinic post-natally, and made
38 attendances.
Each Health Visitor has been appointed Infant Life
Protection Visitor for her district, and carries out the duties
relating to child life protection, under Part XIII of the Public
Health (London) Act, 1936. At the end of the year there were
63 foster-mothers registered with the Council, but only 50 were
receiving children, 89 being in their care.