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162
The Maternity and Child Welfare Clinics.
There are 17 Maternity and Child Welfare Centres, 16 of
which are conducted by the Croydon Mothers' and Infants'
Welfare Association, and 1 by the Local Authority. A total of 20
sessions per week are held and at all of these a dootor and a nurse
on the staff of the Health Department attend.
During 1934, 2,190 new cases under 1 year of age, and 1,019
over a year of age attended for the first time; this is a decrease
of 4 in the first class and of 8 in the second class. The total
attendances of babies and infants from 0.5 years decreased from
77,463 in 1933 to 72,839 in 1934. Consultations with doctors
decreased in numbers from 25,251 to 24,721. 312 expectant
mothers were seen, an increase of 5 on 1933, and ai total of 1,138
visits to the centres were paid by them. The total of all visits
to the Centres was 73,977, a decrease of 4,697 over 1933.
The highest average attendance of mothers and babies at
each session was recorded at Lower Addiscombe Road
(108.9), West Croydon (106.4), and Municipal (98.0). Such
large numbers, although indicating an appreciation on the part
of the mothers, throw a great strain on the organisation of the
centres. It is impossible for the doctor to devote as much time as
is desirable to individual cases, whilst the nurse cannot talk to
each mother at the length which is sometimes needed.