London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Romford 1944
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Romford]
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(iii) Child Life Protection.
In Romford, each Health Visitor also holds the appointment of
Child Protection Visitor under Sections 206 to 220 of the Public
Health Act. 1936.
Table 3.
| (a) | Number of persons who were receiving children for reward at the end of the year | 21 |
| (b) | Number of Children:— | |
| (1) At the end of the year | 30 | |
| (2) Who died during the year | 3 | |
| (3) On whom inquests were held during the year | 1 | |
| (c) | Number of Child Protection Visitors at the end of the year who were:— | |
| (1) Health Visitors | 3 | |
| (2) Female, other than Health Visitors | 0 | |
| (3) Male | 0 | |
| (d) | Number of persons (in addition to or in lieu of Visitors under (c) above) or Societies authorised to visit under the proviso to Section 209 (2) of the Public Health Act, 1936 | 0 |
| (e) | Proceedings taken during the year:— | |
| (1) Number of Cases | 0 | |
| (2) Act and Section under which proceedings were taken | — |
Careful revision was made of the number of children who could
be received by any one foster mother, and, periodically, investiga.
tioris were carried out to ascertain that the appropriate number was
not being exceeded. In two or three cases I had to report to the Town
Clerk that the number was excessive, and it was necessary for the
Town Clerk to send warning letters. Some foster mothers fail to
appreciate the great responsibilities involved by receiving children,
but, I am pleased to say that in this district the foster mothers do
generally take these responsibilities seriously, and the condition of
the foster children under their care is all to be desired.
Endeavours were still being made during the year to obtain the
services of a 4th Health Visitor, but, at the end of the year, we
were still unsuccessful.
During the year the suggestions as set out in the Second Report
of the Nurses Salaries Committee (Cmd. 6487) were adopted in
their entirety by the Council, and given effect as from the appropriate
date,