View report page

58
Centres.—There are in all eight 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 anr ante- and post-natai
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. One of the Health Visitors acts as superintendent.
Children attend up to school age.—(3) 24, Hill Road. Infant consultations under
medical supervision are held weekly. One of the Health Visitors acts as Superintendent,
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 hospital, as
at Queen Charlotte's, there are ante-natal clinics particularly for hospital patients.
Ante-Natal Work.—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, Marylebone Lane, and
Queen Charlotte's Hospital.
Schick Testing, etc., Clinics —As already indicated arrangements for holding
clinics of this kind are made at 113, Marylebone Road. The clinic was held twice
weekly throughout the year and, as the figures given elsewhere show, 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, having regard to the large amount of accommodation available 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 1931 was 2,447 ; the total births numbering
3,514. The midwives residing in the borough registered as intending to practise
in the administrative County of London, number 22. Two conduct maternity
homes which are registered by the London County Council. By an arrangement
with the Paddington and Marylebone Nursing Association all women in the
borough attended by externs of St. Mary's Hospital, are provided with nursing
attention by the Association. During the year 39 cases were dealt with under the
arrangement, and 624 visits were paid, the services of the nurses being greatly
appreciated by the patients.
Work done during 1931.—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 under the Maternity and Child Welfare
Act, 1918, are given elsewhere. The total number of orders issued is shown in the
table.