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For mothers who have other children and whose knowledge of
the details related to the subject is well grounded, an attempt is
made to eliminate unnecessary waiting, by an appointments
system. As a finale to attendance at the complete course of 6
Mothercraft Classes, a mother will sometimes offer to bring her
young baby as a model for the baby's bathing demonstration, the
Health Visitor conducting the demonstration bathing the baby,
and explaining the details step by step. This is the most
popular of the series and gives great satisfaction to all since many
young expectant mothers have not so far seen a young baby
bathed.
It is impossible to assess the full value of this teaching.
Each mother in the group gains in knowledge, companionship
and confidence and contributes to the general air of friendliness
which is the aim of every branch of the Maternity and Child
Welfare Services.
Many friendships are formed during the period of waiting
and continue through attendance at Infant Welfare Sessions,
Vaccination and, later, Diphtheria Immunisation Sessions.
5. HEALTH SERVICES BOOKLET. For some years a
booklet has been issued to the Local Medical Profession giving
information regarding the various Health Services available. The
services mentioned in this booklet are not all Borough Council
services, rather endeavour is made to collect together information
which may be helpful, reference also being made to the Ministry
of Health services, Middlesex County Council services, Voluntary
Hospital services and to those of other voluntary agencies. A
four-weekly bulletin has continued to be circulated to the Local
Medical Profession giving the incidence locally of the infectious
diseases, together with a note on any topical public health matter
as seems appropriate.
6. The Central Public Health Laboratory at Colindale, has
been conducted by the Medical Research Council on behalf of the
Ministry of Health. This Laboratory has 'been used to the fullest
extent, replacing the service given during the War at the Middlesex
Hospital. The services available at this Laboratory are a
most important asset to both Medical Practitioners in the treatment
of individual cases and to the Public Health alike. The
types and numbers of specimens examined are tabulated in
Appendix E, but, in addition, the easy access to the Specialist
Bacteriologists at Colindale, is of the greatest value to the health
services.
7. The consistently high level of the services provided by
the District Nursing Associations (Wembley and Kingsbury)
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