View report page

Child Welfare Centres.
Four Maternity and Child Welfare Centres have been established
by the Council, of which details are tabulated on the following pages.
It will be seen that 423 new cases attended during the year, this
being 55 more than in 1934, while the total attendance of new and old
cases was 10,732, this being 1,654 more than in 1934, and 2,913 more than
in 1933.
The increase in new cases was most marked at Kenley, where 26
more new babies attended in 1935 than in 1934, although the Brighton
Road Centre experienced the highest number of new attendances, with
115, this being slightly more than at the two remaining Centres.
The increase in total attendances was distributed fairly evenly over
the four Centres, Ricknian Hill being the highest with an increase of
498, compared with Kenley, the lowest, which had 331.
Selsdon continues to maintain the highest average attendance per
session with 61, though only slightly more than the 58 at Brighton
Road and 57 at Rickman Hill.
The number of consultations have increased slightly, except at
Selsdon, the most marked being 40 at Kenley. As previously stated,
the number of consultations per session having more or less reached the
maximum without risking the loss of efficiency, it is undesirable to expect
this number to increase without more frequent attendance on the part
of the Medical Officer concerned. While this may become desirable
in the future, it is probable that the establishment of a new Centre
should first be undertaken. With this latter possibility in mind, and
in view of the steady development of the District, financial provision
has been made for the establishment of one extra Centre in 1936.
There can be no doubt of the importance and appreciation of this
work, for which there is no similar provision by any other agency in
the District. The fact that approximately 59 per cent. of the newlyborn
babies notified as being born in the District attended one or other
of the Centres during 1935 is sufficient evidence.
Dr. Amy Thorns resigned from the position of Consultant to the
Selsdon Centre in September, and Dr. Constance Hildred is now filling
that post. Owing to increase in duties the Medical Officer of Health
was released from attending the Brighton Road Centre in November,
1935, Dr. Janet Michael undertaking the work there at present, but he
continues as Medical Officer to the Kenley and Rickman Hill Centres,
27