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9
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 four 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 twenty-nine occasions
during the year.
Under the Ministry of Food Welfare (Foods) Schemes 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 in co-operation with officers of
the Ministry of Food at the Council's Welfare Centres and food
offices.
Nineteen children have been sent to Convalescent Homes at a
cost to the Council of £105. 14s. Od.
66 children under school age suffering from minor ailments
were referred to the London County Council's Clinics for treatment.
The cost to the Borough Council for this service was
£13. 15s. 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, 115 children were seen at the
Clinic, and they made 1,167 attendances. Three women attended the
Clinic post-natally, and made 6 attendances. Sunlight and massage
Clinics are also held at 91 Bedford Hill, Balham, and at 37 Riggindale
Road, Streatham. At the Balham Clinic 72 children were seen and
made 1,274 attendances. Sixty-six children attended the Streatham
Clinic and made 1,246 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 80 foster-mothers registered
with the Council, but only 68 were receiving children, 83 being
in their care.