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by the. shortage, of domestic assistance. Only a proportion of
the eases assisted arose through Influenza the affects of which
were Usually so sudden and se short lived that the majority of
residents dealt with their personal problames themselves often
at great inconvince, being unware of any body able to assist
then or being unable communicate with that body when the
emergency arosed. It would appear desirable for the Citizen's
Advice Bureau to act as the first ay to be approached on. such
hatters as freuently there arc primary social ???uestions which
can be given immediate attention. n close liaison between this
Bureau and the public Health Department has always existed
if questions of medical service and pas???ed on as hitherto, but
little time is lost, and often much seved, by this method of
approach. The Public Health Department should act as the
connecting link between the enquirer an the Home Help Service
or the voluntary medical organisations with which latter it is
hoped close co-operation will continued in the post-war era.
Under war tine conditions the Ministry of labour can assist by
seeing that sufficient part-tine Home Helps are vailable upon
when the Public Health Department c n call and consideration
will still need to bo given to this question of supply after the
war. A local ruling that the Council cannot assist financially
in such cases, unless they are connected with confinements,
limits considerably the help which can be rendered in this way.
Finally, the need for special accommodation for elderly
folk was very obvious and this question should be kept in the
fore front of post-war planning. Suitable accommodation for
elderly couples or single persons, both in health and sickness,
is urgently needed, including typos within the means of folic of
varying social grades.
BIRTH CONTROL.
The Council continues to subscribe towards the Croydon
Mothers and Infants' Welfare Association and curing the year 58
new cases were referred their clinic from the Council's centres
or clinics, all but one needing advice on family planning
owing to medical or social circumstances.
While only one is elated case from this District in 1943
needed advice as she had previously been unsuccessful in having
a baby, the number of cases faced with this same problem has
increased latterly and the Association has arranged a special
clinic for such cases, consultations being by appointment.
HEALTH VIITATION.
During 1943 the Council employ u four Health Visitors who
continued to work under the supervision of the Medical Officer of
Health, and a total of 8,341 visits were paid by them. This
represented an increase of 417 over 1942 ana was chiefly made
possible by the relief afforded thorn through the assistance of
civil defence volunteers at the in unisation clinics.
The previous year's record of 777 primary visits to
babies, which was 290 more than in 1941, was exceeded as no
less than 836 such visits were paid. Of the total births
registered 93% Were visited and on an average 2 visits wore cade
to each child under 1 year, this being a further reduction from
the average of 3 visits per child paid in 1941. This reduction
was unfortunately necessitated by the increased number of births
not being compensated by an increase in the number of Health
Visitors. Similarly although the number of visits to children
over 1 year was slightly increased owing to fewer visits being
paid to cases of infectious disease, the fact was recognised
that more routine visitation was desirable and in 1044 the
Council appointed a fifth Health Visitor.