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Hoxton and Haggerston, and two weighing centres for infants have within the
past three months been established, one at the Town Hall for Hoxton and
the other at the Haggerston Baths for Haggerston. The meetings at present held
weekly at each centre are being well attended. Mothers bring their babies to be
weighed when the Health Visitors give such instructions as may appear necessary
as regards feeding, clothing and the general care of infants, and there is every
reason for believing that the gatherings will, as time goes on, result in most
useful work in the campaign for the reduction of the infantile mortality of the
Borough. It may be added that the assistance of properly qualified voluntary
workers at these centres would undoubtedly be most useful and would be
welcomed.
With reference to the services of Voluntary Workers and Associations, this is
a question, which it may be remembered, received a good deal of attention at the
hands of the Health Committee back in 1911, in connection with a communication
from the Shoreditch Public Welfare Association advocating the adoption of a
system of voluntary health visiting with a view to assisting the Council's Health
Visitor in her work. After reviewing the manner in which such systems were
working in other Boroughs and considering a report from the Town Clerk expressing
the opinion that the Council would be liable for the acts and defaults of voluntary
workers appointed by the Council, the Health Committee had an interview with a
representative of the Public Welfare Association at which it was pointed out that
while they were in accord with the principle of voluntary health work, the Committee
were not inclined to take any steps likely to place them in the position of
incurring the liability to which the Town Clerk had directed attention. It was,
however, agreed that if the Public Welfare Association would send in the names
of two persons willing to take up the work and possessed of the requisite qualifications,
it would be considered what arrangements might be come to in the matter.
Subsequently towards the end of the year the Health Visitor had the assistance of
a lady who gave three full days to the work each week for a period of three
months, and at the end of 1912 another lady also gave her services for three days
for a period of six months. Both were fully qualified in accordance with the
requirements of the Health Visitors (London) Order, 1909, and gave their services
voluntarily and it may be added they both did some most excellent work. It is a
point to be emphasized that if the Sanitary Authority or its officers identify themselves
with any system of Voluntary Health Visiting, due regard must be paid to
the qualifications of those who offer their services for the work. Not only should
Voluntary Workers be duly qualified under the Order mentioned, but they should
be otherwise fitted for the work. Besides technical knowledge, to do good work
in health visiting, patience, judgment, tact, and kindliness are requisite qualifications,
and without them it is quite easy to do much harm in health visiting.
Subject to the wishes of the Borough Council, as Medical Office of Health I shall
be glad to render every assistance in my power in bringing into orderly relationship
the aid of suitably qualified voluntary workers and associations in the
campaign against the excessive infantile mortality of the Borough.
(174) F 2