London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Bexley 1946
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bexley]
This page requires JavaScript
(c) Care of Illegitimate and Premature Children.
Since 1944 stress has been laid on this subject and the
Day Nursery and Maternity Home provisions were the most
concrete aids given to help the mother to stay with her child.
Close co-operation between the Health Visitors and the Moral
Welfare Workers of the Rochester Diocese has continued.
The Council contributes to the residential care of the mother
before the birth and mother and baby after birth in institutions
provided by the Diocesan Council.
During the year 1946, 57 premature births were notified..
Special attention to these children is given by the Health
Visitors and hot water bottles and other small equipment
are provided when necessary. When the home conditions are
not conducive to the proper care of these children the latter
are admitted for an indefinite period to the Corporation
Maternity Home where adequate facilities are available. The
Town Ambulance Service is available for transport of these
children.
(iii) Health Visitors and Clinics.
The eight Health Visitors employed by the Council carried out a considerable body of work during the year, details of which are given in the following tables :—
| Ante-natal Sessions. | Mothers | Attendances |
|---|---|---|
| Maternity Home, Lavernock Road | 45 | 1,938 |
| Bexleyheath Clinic | 279 | 1,465 |
| Bexley Clinic | 137 | 770 |
| Welling Clinic (Station Approach) | 244 | 1.087 |
| Wrotham Road Clinic | 133 | 790 |
| Falconwood Clinic | 84 | 482 |
| Child Welfare Sessions. Bexleyheath Clinic. | ||
| Total number of attendances | 10,155 | |
| Average attendance | 67.58 | |
| No. of children under one year | 7,069 | |
| No. of children under one year (first time) | 488 | |
| No. of children over one, year | 2,545 | |
| No. of children over one year (first time) | 53 | |
| No. of children medically examined | 1,807 | |