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91
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE CONSULTATIONS.
There are 17 Maternity and Child Welfare Centres, 15 of
which are conducted by the Croydon Mothers' and Infants'
Welfare Association and 2 by the local authority. A total of 25
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 1947, 4,243 new cases under 1 year of age and 855
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 77,941 in 1946, to 87,653 in 1947. Consultations with doctors
increased from 23,407 to 27,115. 27 expectant mothers were seen,
a decrease of 10 on 1946, and a total of 153 visits to the Centres
was paid by them. The total of all visits to the Centres was 87,806,
an increase of 9,684 compared with 1946.
The table on page 95 gives detailed figures for the separate
Centres.
The highest average attendance of mothers and babies at
each session was recorded at South Croydon (93.4), Boston Road
(89.0), Norbury (87.6), Municipal (85.3), St. Andrew's (83.9).
Dental Treatment.
Maternity and Child Welfare Patients.
Expectant and nursing mothers and children below school age
are referred by Medical Officers attending Ante- and Post-Natal
Clinics, and from Infant Welfare Centres. A substantial number
are also sent by those in charge of Day Nurseries and similar
institutions. Increasing applications for treatment have also been
received through the Municipal Midwives' Service.
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
he commenced.
During 1947 a considerable number of prospective mothers
were inspected between the "third" and "fourth" months of
pregnancy, and approximately 85.4 per cent. received attention
before the expiration of the sixth month. Excluding those
who failed to keep appointments, very few of those referred
remained uninspected at the close of the year.