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50
"Should a baby require a medical opinion during the interim,
"it is referred to the neighbouring centre, where the doctor
is in attendance, or to the Health Department.
In this way every necessary case is seen by the Medical
Officer. Actually more babies are seeing the doctor than
was the case prior to the re-organisation. Thus, comparing
the figures since July, 1925, with corresponding months of
1924, we get 502 consultations in 1925 and 471 in 1924.
The rule made is that every new baby is seen by the
Medical Officer 4 times in the first year of life and twice
yearly after one year of age. I may be allowed to express
here that I am finding it, owing to the increasing numbers
attending and to increase of other Public Health Services,
almost impracticable to keep to this standard, and as the
services will be greatly augmented by the Downham Estate,
increase of medical staff becomes necessary.
Milk in Necessitous Cases.
The Committee supply free milk (Grade A) to necessitous
cases in attendance at the Welfare Centres. Applications
are made on approved forms which are submitted monthly to
the Committee for their approval.
In 1925 6,614 pints of milk were supplied free at a cost
of £76 3s. 6|d.
Special Cases.
All special cases, other than necessitous, are referred to
the general practitioner for treatment; others requiring
specialised treatment, such as orthopaedics, are referred to
London Hospitals, and one is indebted to these hospitals for
the efficiency of their treatment. In the coming year an
orthopaedic clinic is to be held in Bromley, So' that the irksomeness
and expense of travelling to and from London
Hospitals will be avoided.