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98
Division 3, comprising the boroughs of Finsbury, Holborn and Islington.
Dr. A. B. Stewart reports:
The Division, which covers an area of 4,084 acres, had an estimated population
of 300,960.
The Divisional Medical Officer has to assist him a Divisional Administrative
Officer and a Divisional Nursing Officer, together with the following staff:—
Medical 61 (including 56 part-time); Dental 17 (including 5 part-time);
Chiropodists 6; Clerical and Administrative 66; Nursing 237; School Treatment
organisers 7; Domestics 201; Miscellaneous 9. Total 604 (full and part-time).
The administration was reorganised on a divisional basis by stages, and ex-borough
council staff were gradually absorbed into the divisional office so that by the end of the
year, with the exception of 10 clinic clerks, etc., the whole of the clerical and administrative
staff was centralised at Divisional Headquarters.
Members of the Divisional Health Committee made 106 reports following visits
on a rota basis to the various establishments in the area.
Care of Mothers and Young Children.—The Division is served by 12 day nurseries
(with places for 661 children), six main and five branch maternity and child welfare
centres. In addition there are 2 nursery creches, 2 infant welfare centres and 2 branch
clinics operated by grant-aided voluntary committees. Ante- and post-natal clinics
are held at seven centres and midwives clinics at 6 centres and in all, 37 infant welfare
sessions are held each week. A special child guidance clinic is operating at the
John Street maternity and child welfare clinic for 2 sessions each week staffed by a
medical officer and a psychiatric social worker on a part-time basis to whom are
referred, mainly from the maternity and child welfare clinics, children under 5 years
of age where there are problems in relation to feeding, sleeping, habit training, tempertantrums,
jealousies, nervous habits and mother/child relationship. About 100
cases are dealt with each year and it is an interesting fact that about 75 per cent. of
the cases are first children.
Two private nurseries are established in the Division in conjunction with industrial
premises both of which were visited regarding requirements under the Day
Nurseries and Child Minders Regulation Act, 1948. Eleven women were registered
under this Act to mind a maximum of 34 children during the day. In addition to those
compulsorily registered there were 88 women (voluntarily registered and caring for
124 children) who were receiving the Council's registration fee of 6s. per week, at
the end of the year.
One of the Council's day nurseries was closed for a period of 6 weeks owing to
an outbreak of Sonne Dysentery. Of 53 persons examined, 19 were found to be
affected with the disease.
A scheme is in operation at two maternity and child welfare centres in the
Division whereby mid-day meals are supplied on a selective basis to expectant and
nursing mothers and to children under 5 years. The number of meals supplied during
the period 5th July, 1948 to the end of the year was 3,567.
Five mothers with their infants and 3 unaccompanied infants were admitted to
the Mothercraft Training Centre, Cromwell House, Highgate, the length of stay
varying from 4 days to 8 weeks.
There were 35 registered Foster Mothers in the Division at the end of the year
caring for 34 children, the supervisory work being carried out by health visiting staff.
District Nursing.—The Central Council for District Nursing in London has created
local organisations with a view to co-ordinating the activities of the District Nursing
Associations in London. Divisional Home Nursing Voluntary Committees have been
constituted to act as liaison between the Central Council and Divisional Health
Committees and to promote co-operation among the Home Nursing Associations and
between them and medical and other professional organisations within each Division.