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9
The Council grants financial assistance to women who are
unable to pay for the attendance of a qualified midwife at their
confinements. Contributions are also made towards the charges
made by suitable women who assist in the home during confinements.
Assistance was granted to 86 cases during 1946.
The Council provides consultants 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. Their services were
utilised on eight occasions 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 eleven 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.
Twenty-one children have been sent to Convalescent Homes at a
cost to the Council of £144. 19s. Od.
146 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 £26. 1s. 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, 127 children were seen at the
Clinic, and they made 1,811 attendances. Seven women attended
the Clinic post-natally, and made 48 attendances. Sunlight and
massage Clinics were also held at 91 Bedford Hill, Balham, and at
37 Riggindale Road, Streatham, during the year. At the Balham
Clinic 49 children were seen and made 710 attendances. Sixty-seven
children attended the Streatham Clinic and made 1,170 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 64 foster-mothers registered
with the Council, but only 27 were receiving children, 62 being
in their care.