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Mary, and The Home of the St. Marylebone Female Protection Society, where
unmarried mothers particularly are provided for, both before and after the birth
of their child. A special feature is made at St. Agatha's of keeping the mother
and child together for at least three to six months after the birth, and of
endeavouring to arrange that they shall be together after leaving the home. On
several occasions places on the domestic staff of one or other of the institutions
day nurseries, for example—within the scheme, have been found for mothers from
the home.
The following summaries give a number of details with regard to the arrangements
under the scheme and of the extent of the work done during 1925. It will
be noted that at the end of the year there were available nine centres where attention
was given to infant and child welfare, and if those at the hospitals are included
four ante-natal clinics. At some of the centres consultations are held every day,
sometimes twice a day. In addition to the ordinary infant and young child
(" toddlers ") consultations, there is a dental clinic for mothers and young
children on four days, for two of which the Health Society is responsible. Massage
clinics are held weekly at several of the centres. By arrangement with the London
County Council the dental clinic is used also by school children, and in conjunction
with this there is now also a minor ailment treatment centre for school children.
Up to the present no provision has been made for the administration of light treatment,
though by arrangement with Welbeck Street Dispensary cases were sent
there, and also to two private practitioners who kindly afford facilities and the use
of their private installations in selected cases free of charge.
The summary given here is convenient as showing the elements in the scheme.
Health Visitors.—There are six health visitors. One acts exclusively as tuberculosis
health visitor; two give whole time to health visiting and work, one at
the centre in Salisbury Street, the other at Cosway Street. Three are part-time
health visitors, holding appointments also as sanitary inspectors. Voluntary
workers of the St. Marylebone Health Society also do visiting in co-operation with
the work of the Council. The Borough for the purpose of health visiting is
divided into five districts, and in 1925 the health visitors made 6,535 visits to
2,052 infants. In addition large numbers of visits were paid by the voluntaryvisitors
attached to the schools for mothers. Children are visited up to school
age.
Centres.—There are in all nine centres, all " voluntary," at which consultations
are held. Five of these are under the Health Society, viz. :—(1) North Marylebone
School of Mothercraft, Salisbury Street. Has an ante- and post-natal consultation
under medical supervision. The dental clinic and minor ailment treatment
centre are in the same building. The Council's health visitors co-operate, one of
them acting as Superintendent. The nurse in charge of the dental clinic assists at
the ante-natal clinics. (2) South Marylebone School of Mothercraft', St. Marylebone
General Dispensary, 77, Welbeck Street, and 30, Marylebone Lane. An
ante-natal clinic is held once weekly, and an infant consultation twice weekly, both
under medical supervision. There is a superintendent and a part-time assistant,
both of whom are nurses. Children attend up to school age, and the Council's
health visitors co-operate. The light installation here is available for cases attending
at other centres. (3) Ogle Mews, Ogle Street, W.1. Infant consultations are
held weekly under medical supervision. The Council's health visitors attend.
There are also classes weekly in cookery, needlework and hygiene. (4) 24,
Hill Road. Infant consultations under medical supervision are held weekly. The
health visitors co-operate and one of the nurses of the Barrow Hill Road day
nursery gives part time to health visiting. (5) By arrangement with the Committee
of the Western General Dispensary, Cosway Street, a temporary centre
has been installed in the building. Infant consultations under medical supervision
are held weekly. There are also classes for nursing, etc. One of the health
visitors is specially attached to this centre and acts as superintendent.