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The Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme is on the following lines:—
1. Ante-Natal Clinics.
There are five ante-natal clinics in the Borough so that the expectant
mother may be seen by a doctor at any stage of her pregnancy. The Health
Visitors visit the homes to help and advise the women on matters of hygiene
and health.
2. Health Visiting.
When the baby is ten days old our Health Visitors pay their first visit.
They urge the mother to attend the nearest infant welfare centre with her
child, in this way the young mother soon gets "the centre habit" and as her
other children are born she brings them along too, so that we keep in touch
with the entire family. The Health Visitors go to see the older children
at intervals of every three months, and no child is lost sight of until it goes to
school, or is five years of age. In addition to giving lectures on practical
subjects to the mothers at the centres, they also visit and report upon all
cases of Stillbirth and Ophthalmia Neonatorum throughout the Borough.
3. Maternity and Child Welfare Centres.
Owing to the large attendances at these centres throughout the year
it became necessary to sort out cases to be seen by the Doctor each week.
The delicate ailing children are seen weekly by the Doctor and the healthier
ones at intervals of one month.
It is difficult to define the exact limits of an infant welfare centre.
Though its work is first and foremast of a preventive nature, yet a certain
amount of actual treatment is necessary if the centre is to be of any practical
use. The Ministry of Health approve of the treatment of minor ailments
such as sores or discharging eyes and ears. Rickets and disorders of
metabolism are also suitable cases for an infant welfare centre.
Any mother or child who is definitely ill, is at once referred to
hospitals or private practitioners, and no treatment or advice is given at
the centre while the case is known to be under their care.
4. Clinic jor Women.
It was found at the various infant welfare centres, that several mothers
needed special advice from the Doctor. As there is neither time nor opportunity
for giving such advice at the infant welfare consultations, a special
morning was set aside on which any mother could attend. The cases treated
are either ante or post natal, and if they appear to be in need of treatment,
they are referred elsewhere. Only women who cannot afford a private
doctor are seen at this clinic.