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'26
Interviews with parents bv the Superintendent, other than at elinies or classes,
numbered 5,957.
Early in the year the attention of the Committee of this Centre was directed to the
reduction which had taken place in the average attendance at the infant consultations. The
matter was considered by them, and a letter was forwarded to the Council, stating that they
have considered the low average attendances at the infant consultations at the Ampthill
Square Centre, and expressed the opinion that the number of babies dealt with by that
Centre does not justify five weekly infant consultations. They advise that Dr. Jessie Muir's
weekly Wednesday morning infant consultation should be closed, and that she should be paid
for the one " toddlers " consultation a month, which she has hitherto held voluntarily. The
Committee state that they appreciate the help which the Borough Council have given them
with the extra consultation during the years of high birth-rate following the war, and they
are glad to be able to reduce their expenditure now.
On April 22nd, 1925, the Council decided that the proposal to discontinue the weekly
Wednesday morning infant consultation at the Ampthill Square Centre be approved, and that
the Council do take over the financial responsibility of the one " toddlers " consultation per
month held by Dr. Jessie Muir at that Centre.
Argyle Square Centre.
This Centre makes little progress as regards numbers, and the amount of work is quite
inadequate to fully occupy a full-time worker.
The total number of new cases (children) during the year was 147, the corresponding
figure for the previous year being 140. The total number of visits paid to children was
2,620. Only one consultation per week for infants is held.
Mary Ward Settlement School for Mothers.
This also is a small Centre, and the duties are insufficient to fully occupy a full-time
worker. The total number of new eases (children) was 166, and the total number of visits
paid to children was 1,653. It will be noted that at the Argyle Centre, with a smaller
number of cases, nearly 1,000 more visits were paid. The Mary Ward Centre has been a
joint one with the Borough of Holborn, and as this Authority had notified its intention to
withdraw as from December 31st to a new Centre within its own Borough, the St. Pancras
Borough Council decided to transfer on the same date, their portion of the work and staff to
the Argyle Square premises. These were suitably situated, though expensive to maintain
owing to the small number of consultations. The amalgamation will help to reduce the cost.
Further details as to this amalgamation will be found on page 31. At the request
of the Mary Ward Committee the Council agreed to defer the transfer and amalgamation
until March 31, 1926.
Camden Road Centre.
The number of new cases at the ante-natal consultations shows an increase, and the
number of new cases (children) was exactly the same as in the previous year.
90 massage clinics were held during the year, the attendances at which numbered 840.
A needlework class is held on alternate weeks.
Cavbrsham Road Centre.
The total number of new cases during the year was 361, the corresponding figure for
the previous year being 401. The decrease affected both expectant mothers and children.