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MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
The whole scheme continues to function in a most satisfactory
manner, and there have been considerable increases
in attendances at all the clinics during the year.
All those taking-part in the work are to be congratulated
on the very low Infantile and Maternal Mortality rates which
have been recorded. The ladies of the Voluntary Association
have continued to give much valuable assistance at the Welfare
Centres, and their activities not only serve a verv useful
purpose but are also greatly appreciated.
Infant Welfare Centres.
In 1935 there were 16,712 attendances at the three
centres as compared with 14,192 in 1934 and 13,427 in 1933.
Children under one year of age made 8,952 attendances, and
children over one year made 7,760. The average attendance
of children per session was 52.
Ante-Natal Clinic.
The number of women attending the Ante-Natal Clinic
shows a marked increase over that for previous years, being
234 in 1935 as compared with 159 in 1934 and 122 in 1933.
The total attendances in 1935 were 773. The increase in the
attendances has necessitated an additional fortnightly session
being held on Tuesday mornings.
Maternity Accommodation.
In the early part of the year some difficulty was experienced
in getting maternity cases admitted to the Wellhouse
Hospital, and a number had to be diverted to one or
other of the County Hospitals some considerable distance
from Finchley. Every endeavour is made to get expectant
mothers to attend the Ante-Natal Clinic as early as possible
during pregnancy, and in this way they are able to book
accommodation for some considerable time ahead. This
action has gone a long way towards avoiding unexpected
congestion at the Wellhouse Hospital and other institutions
which they desire to enter, and preventing mothers being
left in the lurch at a critical moment.
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