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8
2.—MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
(i) Ante-natal Clinics.
During the year an extra session was opened, so that 2 sessions
are now being held at the Centre in Marks Road, and 2 at the Centre
in Collier Row.
A Consultative Ante-natal Clinic continues to be held at
Oldchurch County Hospital, and this, once more, has proved a
valuable adjunct to our own services.
During the year 1941, 907 individual expectant mothers attended
the Clinics. In addition, 22 mothers attended for post-natal advice.
In all, 195 sessions were held during the year. The total
number of attendances of the 929 mothers mentioned above was
3,324, giving an average of 35 attendances per patient. The average
number attending at each session was 17.0.
(ii) Infant Welfare Clinics.
Seven sessions were held weekly during 1941, spread over
5 Centres, and all facilities, reported in the past, have continued in
operation.
The National Milk Scheme of the Ministry of Food was again
used to advantage, and, for this purpose, close co-operation was
maintained with the Local Food Office.
During the month of December, a scheme for the supply of
Vitamin preparations in the form of Black-currant Syrup, Blackcurrant
Puree, and Cod Liver Oil, was introduced by the Ministry of
Food, and distribution was arranged from each of the 5 Child Welfare
Centres, in addition to distribution from the Town Hall and the Food
Office.
Dental arrangements under our Maternity and Child Welfare
Scheme were carried out according to the annual rota, but, in the
absence of one of the practitioners on military service, the others on
the rota shared the work on behalf of their colleagues.
During 1941, an additional service was introduced, viz., cooperation
in the facilities of a Cardiac Clinic established at Oldchurch
County Hospital. This Clinic is under the supervision of Dr.
William Evans, F.R.C.P., and is for the purpose of obtaining expert
investigation and advice on obscure and difficult heart conditions,
so that a definite decision can be reached as to whether the condition
is organic or functional, and so that suitable advice, as to exercises,
etc., can be given. Each case referred from our Clinics is charged
at the rate of 10/6.