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any signs or symptoms which suggest a departure from normal health. In all cases
where there is ground for suspecting disease or defect, the mother should be advised
to consult the family doctor, or to take the child to the appropriate clinic for medical
examination, without any delay.
In paragraph 5 it is stated that in some areas special arrangements have been
made for the holding of toddlers' clinics at the infant welfare centres, and there is
much to be said for these arrangements if the mothers can be persuaded to bring the
toddlers periodically to the clinic for examination by the doctor. But the success
of these clinics will depend to a great extent on the regular visiting of the homes
by the health visitor and on the relations which she is able to establish with the
mothers.
In paragraph 6 the Minister mentions that the school clinic should be made more
readily available for the treatment of minor ailments and special defects in young
children, and that it is desirable that special arrangements should be more generally
made. In those areas in which the maternity authority is not also the Local
Education Authority, these needs may be reached by agreement between the
authorities, or more readily if the maternity service is in the hands of the Local
Authority responsible for the school medical services.
In paragraph 7 the Minister suggests that, where the responsibility is divided
between the two authorities, there is provision in section 60 of the Local Government
Act, 1929, whereby representations may be made to him by the Council which is the
local education authority that it is desired that the maternity and child welfare
services should be transferred to them. It should be noted, however, that Section 60
of the Local Government Act, 1929, does not apply to London.
In paragraph 8 the Minister states that it is clear that the success of any efforts
to secure adequate supervision of the health of young children will depend to a large
extent on the efficiency of the health visiting staff, and that in many areas it may be
necessary to increase that staff. The Minister regrets to find that in some areas the
salaries offered for these posts are inadequate.
In paragraph 9 the Minister mentions that in certain areas day nurseries have
been established for the care of young children whose mothers go out to work or whose
home conditions are such that their health would benefit by the daily supervision
which can be secured in this way. He suggests that Councils should consider the
desirability of establishing such institutions.
II.—In order that the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee may consider
what, if any, additions to existing facilities are necessary, I propose to review the
present services. As the Minister suggests that generally the arrangements for
the care of infants are adequate, this report will deal only with children aged one to
five years.