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4
accommodation at the Borough Maternity Home has been
increased by the addition of two beds to 9 beds. In two areas
of the town, the weekly Child Welfare Centres have been
doubled and in a third area the Centre has been increased from
two sessions each month to a fortnightly clinic. A new weekly
Ante-natal Clinic has been opened in the Picardy area, and the
Ante-natal Clinic in the Erith area has been changed to an
evening Centre so that there is now a morning, afternoon and
evening Ante-natal Clinic functioning weekly within the
Borough.
These new ventures have increased the medical duties of
the Department, and I am pleased to record the appointment
of a second full-time Assistant Medical Officer in August of
this year.
Increased conditions at all the Centres have rendered these
expansions necessary. Whether this is due entirely to the
method of distribution of the National Milk Scheme through
the Centres, or to the applications for the extra clothing coupons
to expectant mothers being dealt with by the same personnel,
is doubtful, but it should be remembered that these two schemes
give the Health Department of the town an unrivalled opportunity
for propaganda with this section of the community, and
incidently also provide unofficial notifications of pregnancy
occurring in the District.
In conclusion I must record my gratitude for the wholehearted
co-operation and help of all members of the staff during
a difficult period.
I am,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
REGINALD LEADER,
Medical Officer of Health.
December, 1942.