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It will be noted from the figures set out in the previous pages
that the work of the clinics once again shows an increase over that
of previous years. Attendance at the various Centres have increased
by almost 2,000, while the average percentage attendance
at the Clinics has also shown a slight and welcome increase. A
pleasant feature of the year's work has been the extended use made
of the Pre-natal Clinic. This is apparently due to the closer cooperation
existing between the Maternity Department and the
North Middlesex County Hospital, a co-operation which is extremely
valuable from every standpoint. Various attempts were made
throughout the year to bring the Clinic facilities more closely to
the notice of the burgesses. One hundred per cent, attendances
of Southgate mothers is, of course, an impossibility, but so long as
the available services are not known to or used by any family in
Southgate who might benefit therefrom, maximum efficiency cannot
be anticipated.
Children Acts, 1908-32.—The following is a summary of
the work carried out under these Acts during the past year:—
Number of registered foster mothers 10
Number of foster children 12
Total visits paid 150
Work in connection with the Children Acts was considerably
heavier during 1937 than in any previous year, although the
number of foster children in the district and the supervising visits
paid actually show a slight decrease. Following numerous complaints,
one house used for the reception of foster children was
voluntarily closed. It should be stated here that no exception waS
taken by the Department to the premises or to the management
thereof. A second very unpleasant case occurred, in which it was
necessary to have one child removed to hospital and to take immediate
steps to ensure that no further children should be sent to the
home concerned. At one time it appeared that proceedings might
have to be taken, but this was not done. Apart from the two
cases noted above, no complaint or case of neglect was met with
during the year.
Miscellaneous Statistics.
1936. 1937.
Births registered in the district 562 628
Attended by Midwives 131 113
Un-notified Births 18 17
Percentage of Births notified 96.8% 97.3%
Stillbirths notified 18 12
Stillbirths notified by Midwives 5 2
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