View report page

25
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
For many years considerable attention has been devoted to this work in St. Paneras,
not only by the Borough Council and the associated Voluntary Committees, but also by the
general hospitals, etc.
The work carried out may be summarised under the following three headings:—
1. Ante-natal.
Special consultations are held at the Centres maintained by the Borough
Council and also at the General and Women's Hospitals, both in and
adjacent to the Borough.
Visits by Council's Health Visitors to the Homes.
Classes for mothers, held by the Superintendents of the various Centres.
Provision of dinners, milk, and also of dental treatment for expectant (and
nursing) mothers.
A scheme of co-operation in Ante-natal work between the Borough Council
and University College Hospital, in force since January 1st, 1928.
2. At Birth.
A subsidy is paid by the Borough Council to certain hospitals in connection
with the admission of necessitous cases to their maternity wards,
A subsidy is also paid in connection with certain eases attended at home by
midwives on the staff of various hospitals and institutions.
The provision by the Borough Council of Consultants' services, bacteriological
investigation and skilled nurs ng in connection with cases developing
Puerperal Fever or Puerperal Pyrexia. Hospital accommodation is also
available for these cases.
A subsidy is paid by the Borough Council to a Voluntary Committee for the
provision of Home Helps.
3. Infants and Young Children.
The dispatch by post of cards of advice to the individual mothers immediately
after the receipt of the notification of birth required by law.
The visiting of infants and young children by the Council's staff of health
visitors, who work (a) from the Town Hall and (6) from the Centres.
The provision and maintenance of Child Welfare Centres. These Centres are
partly maintained on a voluntary basis ; but the whole of the professional
staff (medical officers and health visitors) are paid and controlled by the
Council, who also pay the rent, rates and taxes of the Centre premises.
The provision of a clinic for (ailing mothers and) young children, the expenses
being borne partly by municipal and partly by voluntary funds.
The provision of a municipal dental clinic.
The subsidisation of a Home for ailing young children.
The supply of milk, free or at reduced price.
The subsidisation of the three voluntary Day Nurseries in the Borough.
The payment for the home nursing of sick infants in certain cases.
A Centre for Artificial Light treatment.