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importance in a poor and overcrowded area such as this. It was therefore decided to
commence a clinic to which mothers would come to receive instruction in breast
feeding and treatment for the breasts in cases of difficulty. This clinic commenced
on 25th April, and was held on one day a week at first as an experiment. It was an
immediate success, and was extended to three whole days a week on 11th November.
The clinic is attended by a qualified nurse, who has been specially trained in this type
of work, and is under the general supervision of the Matron of the Model Welfare
Centre. The mothers come in the morning with their babies, and usually spend the
whole day at the clinic, dinner and tea being supplied.
Negotiations were conducted during the year with the Queen's Hospital for
children and a scheme was agreed to, and approved by the Ministry of Health, which
was to come into force on 22nd January, 1930. Under this scheme, in consideration
of an annual payment of £150, the Borough Council may—
(i.) Send children to the hospital for consultation with the honorary staff.
(ii.) Send children to a minor ailment centre at the hospital.
(iii.) Recommend children for admission to hospital.
No payment is required by the hospital from the parents in respect of these
facilities, although the Borough Council makes a charge in certain cases where it can
be afforded.
The distribution of packages of sterile dressings for confinement cases was also
commenced during the year, and they immediately became extremely popular.
The doctors and midwives of the Borough frequently speak of the advantages derived
from these dressings. In considering the make-up of the package, it was thought
wise to avoid making it an "accouchment set" in the usual sense of the term, and
only essential dressings were included. During the last three months of the year a
weekly average of eight packages was distributed, and the numbers were rapidly
increasing.
A scheme for the provision of Home Helps was prepared, and was approved by
the Ministry of Health. It has not, however, actually come into operation by the
end of the year under consideration.
The supply of free milk and dinners to necessitous mothers and children was
continued, and, in addition to nutritional value of the food supplied, the scheme formed
a valuable link between the family and the Welfare Centre. During the latter part
of the year, for some reason which was not quite clear, there was a falling off in the
number of applications for milk, and the Committee had under consideration
a relaxation of the financial scale.
The numbers of mothers attending daily for dinners have averaged 20 at the
Model Welfare Centre, and 26 5 at 31, Herbert Street.
The Sewing Class conducted by the Health Visitors on Thursday afternoons
had an average attendance of 11, and that held on Monday afternoons at the School
for Mothers had an average attendance of 5.5.
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