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Argyle Square Centre.
Sewing classes were held at which the attendances numbered 232.
A special Consultation for Toddlers is held monthly, the total attendances being 235.
Caversham Road Center.
In addition to the consultations provided by the Council, a number of others have been
held, the cost of which has been defrayed out of funds from voluntary sources. The services
of two qualified Health Visitors (one full-time and one part-time) was also provided from the
same fund. Two temporary qualified Health Visitors were also employed for a period of
three weeks.
Classes were held in a number of subjects, the attendances being as follows:—Needlework
644, Child Study 183, Hygiene 106, Mothercraft 280.
Holidays of two weeks duration were provided for 32 families during the year.
Alterations in Staff and Procedure during the Year.
(a) Dr. Albert Clarke was appointed as Medical Officer in charge of the Ante-natal
Clinic at the St. Pancras School for Mothers, Ampthill Square, in the place of
Dr. M. J. Pirret, who resigned this appointment.
(b) In order that the situation of the Centres should be better known to the public, a
circular was issued during the year by the Minister of Health, stating that
instructions had been issued to the Postmasters of Crown Post Offices authorising
the exhibition on the Official Notice Boards of lists giving the names and
addresses of the Ante-natal and Child Welfare Centres.
Printed lists giving the necessary information were therefore prepared and
and distributed to the Head, Branch and Sub-Offices in the Borougb.
(c) The Council also approved a resolution passed by the Maternity and Child Welfare
Sub-Committee for the provision of overalls and caps to be worn by the Health
Visitors when on duty at the Centres.
(b) Certain changes were made with reference to the grants of milk which are made to
mothers and children. At the request of the Minister of Health, the scale of
income on which grants are based was altered slightly in accordance with the fall
in the index figure of the cost of living.
The Council also decided that, as from the 1st August, 1928, milk retailers supplying
milk in connection with the Council's maternity and child welfare service be required to allow
a discount of 7½ per cent. off the prevailing retail prices where the monthly accounts are in
excess of £2, and that only those retailers agreeing to this arrangement should be given orders
to supply milk.
A communication was received from the Minister of Health, stating that the decision
of the Council in this matter has been noted with satisfaction (see also page 36).
Artificial Light Treatment.
The clinic maintained by the Borough Council for the provision of this form of treatment
was in regular use throughout the year, except for a period of about two months during
the middle of the summer.
Consultations were held on three days in each week, the average number of patients at
each consultation being 41, as compared with 19 during the previous year.