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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 cooperate,
one of them acting as superintendent.—(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, and in addition one or more of
the health visitors assist at the various consultations. Children attend up to
school age.—(3) 24, Hill Road. Infant consultations under medical supervision
are held weekly. The health visitors co-operate, and a nurse is employed three
days a week by the Health Society for the purpose of visiting.—(4) Western
Centre. Temporarily held at Western General Dispensary, Cosway Street.
Infant consultations under medical supervision are held weekly. There are also
classes for needlework. One of the health visitors is specially attached to this
centre and acts as superintendent.
On account of the demolition of the premises the consultations formerly held
at Ogle Mews, Ogle Street, W.l, were discontinued at the middle of the year,
accommodation being found for those attending at Middlesex Hospital.
In addition to these centres, consultations are held weekly at Queen Charlotte's
Hospital, at Middlesex Hospital, at the Church Army Dispensary, and at
the Western General Dispensary. One of the Council's health visitors attends at
each, and Middlesex Hospital has also a paid health visitor in attendance. All
the consultations are open to other than St. Marylebone babies, who, however,
constitute the bulk of those attending. At the hospital there are ante-natal
clinics particularly for -hospital patients.
Ante-Natal Work as indicated. There are two voluntary Ante-Natal Clinics.
Visiting is undertaken by the Council's health visitors. There is a system of
co-operation with the Middlesex and Queen Charlotte's Hospitals.
Dental Clinic.—This was originally established for the treatment of women,
and children of pre-school age. By arrangement with the London County
Council school children are also dealt with.
Massage Clinics are held weekly at Salisbury Street and Ogle Mews.
Schick Testing, etc., Clinics —As already indicated arrangements for Holding
clinics of this kind are made at Salisbury Street. The clinic was not in operation
until after the close of the year.
Hospital Treatment.—Children's cases are referred from the centres to the
dispensaries and hospitals in the borough, and the Queen Charlotte's and Middlesex
Hospitals are available for ante-natal and complicated maternity cases. By
arrangement cases calling for special examination or treatment are referred by
the doct&rs at the centres to Middlesex Hospital. The fact that a special centre
has been established at the Western General Dispensary has already been mentioned.
Maternity Cases.—The Council have not established a Maternity Home or
Hospital, but there is accommodation within the borough at Queen Charlotte's
Hospital, Middlesex Hospital, and in the Labour Wards at the St. Marylebone
Home, Marylebone Road. The number of births notified from these institutions
during 1927 was 2.656, the total births numbering 3,800. The midwives living
and practising in the borough number 4. Two conduct maternity homes which
are registered by the L&ndon County Council.
Work done during 1927.—The following table gives some idea of the work
done at the various centres during the year. Full details of the method adopted
in relation to the granting of orders for milk and food under the Maternity and
Child Welfare Act, 1918, will be found in previous reports, and need not again
be discussed. The total number of orders issued is shown in the table.