View report page

6
Voluntary Organisations
4.—The Corporation have where possible utilised the services
of efficient voluntary organisations and retained agency arrangements,
e.g., Home Nursing, Care of the Unmarried Mother,
Family Planning Clinics.
Particular Services
Expectant and Nursing Mothers
5.—Before 1948 a system of central combined ante and postnatal
clinics for hospital and domiciliary cases had been developed
in Croydon. This has been retained by agreement between the
Hospital and Local Health Authority. The Senior Consultant
Obstetrician is in clinical charge, and hospital staff attend for
mothers booked for hospital confinement. Whole-time Assistant
Medical Officers of Health function at the domiciliary midwives'
sessions, except as previously mentioned in an outlying clinic in
a new housing estate. Almoner and clerical staff are shared.
Relaxation exercises and mothercraft classes are available for
expectant mothers and blood groups, Rh. factor, W.R. and Khan
reactions are ascertained for all who attend, or are referred by
general pactitioners for the purpose. Dental treatment is available
through arrangements with the School Dental Service. Maternity
outfits are supplied for domiciliary confinements from the antenatal
clinic. Unmarried mothers are dealt with by the Croydon
Association for Moral Welfare acting as agents of the Corporation.
A capitation fee is paid for the case work of their Social
Welfare Officer, and reimbursement on a case basis, of the cost
of Mother and Baby Homes. The usual period of stay is
3 months. There was a considerable increase in the numbers
referred during 1952, which, as far as can be judged in the
absence of the Registrar-General's figures, arose from a greater
use of the service, and not an increase in the illegitimate birth rate.
Child Welfare
There were 19 premises providing 32 Infant Welfare sessions
per week during the year under review. The figures are almost
identical with previous years. No new buildings were provided,
but minor exchanges of premises were effected where more
suitable accommodation became available. Medical staffing is
mainly by Assistant Medical Officers of Health and except for
the Health Visitor in charge, the remaining staff is made up
entirely of voluntary workers. This represents a continuation of
the system operating before the appointed day when the Infant
Welfare Centres in Croydon were conducted by a voluntary
organisation. Their loyal and experienced assistance is of the