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At the present time only 3.6 Health Visitors are employed
on home visitation of mothers and infants.
The Board are further of opinion that the visiting of
children should be extended to include all children under
five years of age. The total number of children in Willesden
under this age is approximately 18,000.
The Board also suggest that the visiting of expectant
mothers at their homes should be undertaken when necessary,
and that cases of Measles, Whooping Cough and
Diarrhcea occurring in young children should be visited.
In respect of Measles the Board consider it desirable
that nurses should be available for young children suffering
from this condition and in need of skilled assistance.
Provision of Midwifery.
The Board state that they are anxious to secure that
there should be an efficient midwifery service throughout the
country so that all women may be able to obtain the services
of a competent midwife for their confinement. At the
present time some women do not obtain the services of a
midwife because they cannot afford to pay her fee.
The Board's grant is available in respect of paying half
that portion of the fee which is not paid by the patient, but
the Board require to be satisfied that all steps have been
taken for investigating the circumstances of such cases and
generally require to approve the conditions under which the
services of a competent midwife are provided gratuitously
or at less than the ordinary fee.
Provision of Doctors.
The Board will similarly make a grant of half the fee
paid to a doctor called in by a midwife, under a scheme and
scale of fees to be approved by the Board.