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Welfare Foods, Vitamin Supplements and Medicaments
The distribution of dried milk, cod liver oil, orange juice and vitamin tablets,
obtained through the Ministry of Health, has been continued at the Council's clinics
throughout the year, involving the collection of nearly £6,500 in sales and the issue
of 7,668 tins of National Dried Milk, 3,002 bottles of cod liver oil, 3,577 packets of
vitamins A and D, and 75,162 bottles of orange juice. In addition, various brands
of proprietary dried milk, cereals and vitamin preparations, recommended by medical
officers in particular cases, were available in the clinics, and the total sales amounted
to some £18,265.
In 1967 the Ministry of Health drew attention to the many families in the
low income groups who were not taking advantage of the free supplies to which
they were entitled under the welfare foods scheme. However, in spite of the
subsequent publicity given to this, there has been little change in the issues of free
National Dried Milk, cold liver oil, vitamin tablets and orange juice.
Ministry of Health Circular 11/68 drew attention to the Welfare Foods Order,
1968, which came into effect on 31st March. 1968. The main provisions were as
follows :
(a) The minimum price of liquid milk for welfare milk beneficiaries was
increased from 4d to 6d a pint. The price of National Dried Milk was not
changed.
(b) The entitlement to free liquid or National Dried Milk was extended so that,
if there were three or more welfare milk beneficiaries in any family, all but
two could have their supplies free.
(c) All beneficiaries who were allowed free supplies of National Dried Milk
were authorised to receive their supplementary supplies free of charge, also.
Circular L.H.A.L. 11/68 issued by the Ministry of Health dealt with the
replacement of the welfare orange juice leaflet by a revised one which emphasised
the risk of dental decay which is likely to result from the use of orange juice and
other fruit syrups in undiluted form or in dummies or hollow comforters. The
attention of the appropriate staff of the department was drawn to this risk. The
circular also referred to a new and more attractive bottle made of lightweight
toughened glass in which welfare orange juice would be supplied in future.
Dental Care
During the year, 159 attendances for treatment were made by mothers, and
836 by children under five years of age. Combined use was made of staff and
premises of all dental clinics in the borough, in order to provide a service for those
who desired to take advantage of it.
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