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101
The average duration of stay in the wards of these children was six weeks and
three days.
Of the 70 children who were discharged during the year, 6 were healthy, 57 were
much improved, 2 were improved and 5 were sent to convalescent homes. There
was one death during the year.
The Committee of the School for Mothers administers two institutions, viz.,
28, Herbert Street and the Brunswick Day Nursery, Brunswick Place.
28, Herbert Street.
This is an institution which has for many years worked in close co-operation
with the Borough Council, which contributes a grant of £1,205 per annum towards
the expenses of the institution. The Committee employs two health visitors and
the western portion of the borough, in which this institution is situated, is allocated
to them. A note of all births is sent from the public health offices and these two
health visitors are responsible for all visits in this district. Two infant welfare
centres, one weighing centre, one ante-natal consultation centre, and a sewing class
are held weekly.
During the year 177 infants attended at the centre for the first time and 2,738
total attendances were made. The number of first attendances of children between
one and five years of age was 55, and the total number of attendances was 2,080.
These figures may be compared with the corresponding figures for the year 1935 when
244 infants and 66 children had their first examination by the doctor in charge.
The total examinations of infants by the doctor numbered 1,906, and of children from
one to five years, 1,558. One hundred and thirty-one expectant mothers attended
the clinic on 380 occasions and 41 mothers attended on 91 occasions after their
confinements. These figures are recorded in the table on page 97.
Brunswick Day Nursery.
This nursery accommodates 40 children. The staff consists of the doctor in
charge who visits the nursery weekly; a matron, a staff nurse and five probationer
nurses. The domestic staff is made up of a daily cleaner and laundry woman who
attends on two days a week. A local practitioner is called in in emergencies. During
the year 1936 the whole day attendances were 7,192 and half-day, 690, the corresponding
figures for 1935 being 7,277 and 752 respectively.
Sun Babies' Nursery, Norris Street.
The nursery has accommodation for 100 children. With this number the
buildings are rather crowded and the average attendance is usually less. For several
years an annual grant was paid by the Borough Council in consideration of the value
of the work which was done by this nursery. With the discontinued Ministry grant,
this figure makes a total of £1,200, which is the annual contribution of the Borough
Council to this institution.