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88
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE CONSULTATIONS.
There are 18 Maternity and Child Welfare Centres, 16 of
which are conducted by the Croydon Mothers' and Infants'
Welfare Association and 2 by the local authority. A total of 24
sessions per week are held and at these a doctor and one, or, if
necessary, two health visitors, on the staff of the Health Department
attend.
During 1946, 3,719 new cases under 1 year of age and 839
over 1 year of age attended for the first time; the total of attendances
of infants and young children from 0—5 years increased
from 65,767 in 1945 to 77,941 in 1946. Consultations with doctors
increased from 21,613 to 23,407. 37 expectant mothers were seen,
a decrease of 12 on 1945, and a total of 181 visits to the Centres
was paid by them. The total of all visits to the Centres was 78,122,
an increase of 12,016 compared with 1945.
The highest average attendance of mothers and babies at
each session was recorded at Municipal (97.0), Norbury (91.1),
South Croydon (85.5), Woodside (77.0), Bensliam Manor (76.7),
Boston Road (75.5).
Dental Treatment.
Maternity and Child Welfare Patients.
Expectant and nursing mothers and children below school
are referred by Medical Officers attending Ante- and Post-Natal
Clinics, and from Infant Welfare Centres. Reference is also
made from those in charge of Day Nurseries and similar institutions.
An increasing number of applications for mothers have
been received from the Municipal Midwives.
When this side of the dental service was expanded some
years ago, a dental surgeon was specially appointed for the
care of mothers and young children, and now eleven sessions
weekly are devoted to this work. The above arrangement has
done much to reduce the waiting period before treatment can
be commenced.