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17
SECTION B.—MATERNITY AND CHILD
WELFARE SERVICES.
B (1 ). Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme.
This has been a rather disappointing year with regard to
the child welfare centres. The total attendances have
diminished by nearly four thousand (3,741), at the Erith,
Bedonwell and Belvedere Centres, the Picardy Centre however
holding its own and actually increasing by eighteen attendances
with an increase of sixty-two medical consultations during the
year. There was also an additional 199 medical consultations
held at the Erith Clinic.
This is the first time during the past five years that I am
unable to report any new or additional clinics in this service :
two proposals were actually formulated, one in the Abbey Wood
area, which is undoubtedly the worst served district of the
town in this respect, and the other in the Northumberland
Heath area. Both were rejected however as it was held that
the available accommodation was unsuitable for the purpose.
All other aspects of the child welfare services functioned
normally, including the specialist clinics.
Following a communication from the Ministry of Health,
a scheme for the care of illegitimate children was adopted by
this welfare authority. It provides for continued support of
the Rochester Diocesan Society for Moral Welfare, and the
payment of a sum of money to the Society for each Erith case
admitted to the Oakhurst Hostel for unmarried mothers which
now includes a residential nursery for 9 children under five
years of age.
A conference of autonomous welfare authorities was held
at Maidstone with representatives of the County Council, and
a more comprehensive scheme drafted, which is being submitted
for official approval.