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Centres.—There are in all seven centres, all "voluntary," at which consultations
are held. Four 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, 30, Marylebone Lane. An antenatal
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.
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
Queen Charlotte.'s Hospital, and Middlesex Hospital, which has a paid health
visitor in addition. All the consultations are open to other than St. Marylebone
babies, who, however, constitute the bulk of those attending. At the hospit 11, as
at Queen Charlotte's, there are ante-natal clinics particularly for hospital patients.
Ante-Natal Work as indicated. There are three 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 Marylebone Lane.
Schick Testing, etc., Clinics —As already indicated arrangements for holding
clinics of this kind are made at Salisbury Street. The clinic was held weekly
throughout the year and was largely used.
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 doctors 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 1928 was 2,783, the total births numbering 3,875. The midwives living
and practising in the borough number 13. Two conduct maternity homes which
are registered by the London County Council.
Work done during 1928.—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.