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31
Needlework classes were held oil alternate Tuesday afternoons, the attendances at
which numbered 96.
The Artificial Light Clinic, which was started in February, 1925, is held at this centre,
and although assistance at the consultations is given by health visitors from other centres, the
work of the Superintendent, Miss Bristow, has been enormously increased by the initiation of
this special work. I wish to place on record the admirable spirit with which Miss Bristow
has undertaken this additional duty, and the excellent manner in which she has performed it.
The report on the work of the Artificial Light Centre will be found on page 34.
Propose]) re-organisation of Maternity and Child Welfare Work.
It having been reported to the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee that, owing to
the diminished birth-rate in the Borough, and also in view of the contemplated demolition of the
Chalton Street Centre, and the unsuitable situation of certain other centres, it appeared to be
desirable to consider if some centralisation of this work would not conducc both to efficiency
and economy. The Committee requested your Medical Officer of Health to report ujjon the
matter, and the following report was submitted :—
To the Chairman and Members of the Maternity
and Child Welfare (Advisory) Sub-Committee.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In accordance with the resolution of the Committee, I beg to report on the question of
amalgamating certain of the Maternity and Child Welfare Centres. At the present time there
are ten Centres in the Borough. The number of staff at each Centre varies from one to four,
and the number of consultations varies from six to twenty-four per month. Despite these
variations in number of staff, number of consultations and amount of responsibility, all
superintendents are of equal rank and receive equal remuneration.
The smaller Centres, especially those staffed by one worker, are proportionately more
expensive to maintain, and are also more difficult to work. As regards expense, such items
as rent, rates, taxes, salaries, etc., are fixed charges, irrespective of the number of consultations
which are held. Where the staff consists of one worker only, any sudden illness or absence
causes considerable difficulty, and temporary staff has to be obtained. Such an occurrence is
easily dealt with at large Centres which have a more numerous staff.
In suggesting any combination of Centres, it is necessary to bear in mind the convenience
of the mothers and the distance they would have to travel. Centres should be adequately
equipped and large enough to work easily, and yet not too far apart to cause inconvenience to
those attending. The map produced shows the position of the existing Centres. At the present
time I would not suggest any change as regards the Centres at South Highgate, Queen's
Crescent, Caversliani itoad and Amphill Square, and as regards the Mary Ward and Argyle
Square Centres, these have recently been merged by resolution of the Council. This leaves for
consideration the Centres at Grafton Road, Camden Road, Oakley Square and Chalton Street.
The premises at Chalton Street are situated in an area which is to be cleared in consequence
of the London County Council Housing Scheme, and new premises therefore will have to be
secured. The present positioii of this Centre is not good ; a better situation would be in a
position farther north ; this would bring it close to the Oakley Square Centre. I am therefore
of opinion that these two Centres (Chalton Street and Oakley Square) can well be merged when
a favourable opportunity occurs.
With reference to the Grafton Road Centre, the premises are inadequate, and as regards
situation too near the Caversham Road Centre. The accommodation at Grafton Road comprises
one large room and a very small one for the Doctor. The one large room has to serve
the purpose of waiting room, weighing room, dressing room, etc. This is very inadequate,
especially as regards ante-natal work. A much better situation for this Centre would be farther
south. This would bring it fairly close to the Camden Road Centre. I am therefore of opinion
that, at a favourable opportunity, the Grafton Road and Camden Road Centres should be
merged into one building on a site about midway between these two Centres.