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or by attending direct at the Clinic with a letter from her
doctor. On attending the Clinic, the expectant mother will
be told whether she can have her baby in hospital or
whether she will have it at home, and be attended by a
municipal midwife (and a doctor if necessary); in the latter
case, a home help can also be supplied if necessary during
the period of the confinement and lying-in. It is not possible
to offer hospital accommodation to all expectant mothers who
would like it, as hospital beds are usually reserved for cases
which have medical priority or whose home conditions make
it impossible for them to have the baby at home. Gas and
Air Analgesia is available for every case (whether a hospital
or home case) if the patient wishes it, and is medically fit.
Infant Welfare Centres.
These Centres have t\venty-eight sessions per week, and
any mother can attend for advice and help in connection with
her baby. A list of the Centres, with the times of their sessions,
is obtainable from the Health Department, and all the mother
need do is to attend at a Centre.
Health Visiting.
The Corporation employ a staff of Health Visitors—all State
Registered Nurses and State Certified Midwives, who call and
advise any householder where there is an expectant or nursing
mother, young children, or any sick person. No charge is
made by the Corporation for this service.
Home Nursing and Home Helps.
Arrangements have been made through the Croydon
Nursing Service for any person who needs a nurse at home to
have one provided. The Corporation also employ a number of
"Home Helps" who can be sent if available to give domestic
help in households where it is needed because of ill-health,
maternity, age, or the welfare of children. The Corporation
make a charge for the services of the home help, but the amount
of the charge depends upon the family income. Applications
for a Home Nurse or Help should be made to the Health
Department, 20, Katharine Street, Croydon.
Day Nurseries.
As part of their Child Welfare Scheme, the Corporation
have a number of Day Nurseries open from Monday to Saturday
inclusive, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 12
noon), where children up to five years of age can be cared for.
The demand, however, for accommodation at these nurseries is
far greater than the accommodation available, and therefore
the Corporation have had to restrict admissions to priority cases.
The Day Nurseries are at—
Coldharbour House, Purley Way.
Mayday Road.
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