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25
future trouble. With no easement of the pressure for re-housing
and increasing dilapidation this problem grows steadily larger.
Thirdly, the effect of housing costs on family budgets is again
being noted on housing estates. Families moved from inadequate
but cheap lodgings to a spacious modern council house may find
costs for rent, furniture and fares more than their incomes can
sustain, unless drastic cuts are made in other expenditure. It
is probable that in such circumstances "bad housing" as we
know it today, is on balance less harmful than continuous underfeeding,
especially in houses where poverty also prevents adequate
heating during the winter.
It requires, therefore, very careful judgment to advise some
families whether it is belter for them to move or to remain.
PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICES.
The coming into operation on July 5th, 1948, of the National
Health Service Act, 1940, made considerable changes in the
facilities controlled by the Corporation for medical care of the
individual. Thus the provision of hospitals, both general, and
special, and maternity homes passed to the new Regional Hospital
Boards, as did the V.D. service and part of the Tuberculosis
service. On the other hand, existing powers were enlarged, new
duties imposed and new permissive functions outlined. It may
be helpful to reprint here the relevant portions of an explanatory
summary dealing with the Corporation's duties under the
National Health Service which was issued by the Corporation.
SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE CORPORATION.
Ante=Natal, Midwifery and Post=NataI Services.
The Corporation provide the following Clinics at their
Centre in Lodge Road, West Croydon: —
(a) Ante=Natal Clinics.
Eight sessions per week (four sessions being for
municipal midwives' cases) every week-day morning at
9 a.m. and Monday and Wednesday afternoons at 2 p.m.
(b) Post=Natal Clinics.
Two sessions per week, i.e., Tuesday and Friday afternoons
at 2.15 p.m.
An expectant mother wishing to make use of this
service should apply to attend the Ante-Natal Clinic either
to the Health Department, 20, Katharine Street, Croydon,
V