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52
nutritive substances calculated to secure that the diet of the ante-natal
and nursing mother contains adequate protective elements, also
dental treatment, ophthalmic treatment and aural treatment.
All this should tend to improve, not only the health of the
expectant and nursing mother, but the chances of the physical and
mental well-being of the expected child.
There is as yet no maternity hospital in Enfield and women who
require institutional confinements are admitted in-so-far as beds
are available, to the North Middlesex County Hospital. By co-operation
with the County Medical Department arrangements have been
made whereby expectant mothers attend regularly at the Enfield
ante-natal clinics, and are thus saved the journey to the North Middlesex
County Hospital until such time as they are ready to be admitted.
By co-operation between the Health Department and the Superintendent
of the North Middlesex County Hospital information concerning
the condition of patients is passed from the one body to the other.
This scheme is working satisfactorily.
It is impossible at this stage to say what will be the effect of the
Council's scheme for the provision of municipal midwives to those
who require them, for the scheme had only been in operation about
six weeks when the year closed. It would appear, however, that the
scheme is likely to be popular and work satisfactorily.
I feel sure that the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee
would wish me to express thanks to the Voluntary Helpers who have
attended regularly throughout the year at our clinics and rendered
such excellent help. Many of them have served the Council in a
voluntary capacity for very many years and must now be seeing the
babies of mothers whom they put on the scales and weighed some
years ago. I know that the success of the work is the truest thanks
our Voluntary Helpers can expect, and that these words of appreciation
are little compared to the happiness of the mothers and children who
are attending our centres.
I regret to have to record the death during the year of Mrs. Herbert
who had been a Health Visitor in Enfield for the past seven years.
Mrs. Herbert will be kindly remembered for many years to come
by the numerous mothers and children whom she helped and to whom
she was a friend.
During the years she served the Council she displayed the
enthusiasm and zeal that can only come from those who look upon
their service to a local authority as a mission.
In ending this report I would express my thanks to the Maternity
and Child Welfare Committee for its courtesy throughout the year
and to the professional and clerical members of my staff for their loyal
co-operation.
I am, Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
DENNIS H. GEFFEN,
Medical Officer of Health.