View report page

31
PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICES
These services are provided under Part III of the National
Health Service Act of 1946.
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH
Audrey Jones, M.B.ch.B., Senior Medical Officer.
CARE OF MOTHERS AND YOUNG CHILDREN
Care of the Unmarried Mother and her Child
Financial liability was accepted for 13 cases, at a total cost
of £1,170, an average of £90 per case. The majority were referred
by the Canterbury Rochester Diocesan Council for Social Work.
Others were referred by the Southwark Catholic Children's Society,
and the Welfare Section.
Child Health Clinics
The total number of premises used for clinics is 35, of which
6 are purpose-built, 3 are adapted, and the remainder occupied
on a sessional basis. The Elmers End Clinic was re-established
in improved premises at St. James's Hall. Doctor sessions per
week averaged 41.
Attendances totalling 76,172 were made by children of up
to 5 years of age, continuing the downward trend of the last 3
years (1968—83,721, 1967—87,379). 62.2% of attendances were
by children under 1 year of age, 17.5% by those 1 to 2 years,
and 20.3% by those between 2 and 5 years. 4,285 children
attended a clinic for the first time.
Welfare Foods
Whilst the sale of proprietary foods was discontinued, the
sale of welfare foods increased slightly to the value of £11,011
from National Dried Milk, Cod Liver Oil, Vitamin A & D Tablets
and Orange Juice.
Day Nurseries and Child Minders
The number of registrations increased considerably under
the new regulations.
1969 1968 Difference
Number of premises 101 74 +27
(12% providing all-day care)
Number of places provided 3,255 2,585 +670
Average places provided 32.2 34.9 -2.7
No day nurseries were provided by the Council and financial
assistance was not given towards placements in private nurseries.