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The Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme is on the following lines: —
X. 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, and thus we keep in touch with
the entire family. The Health Visitors visit 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, the Health Visitors visit and report, upon all cases of
Stillbirth and Ophthalmia Neonatorum throughout the Borough.
•3. Centres.
There are five Municipal centres where a doctor attends weekly. There is
also a clinic for women at the LimehouseTown Hall where the Assistant Medical
Officer of Health attends every Thursday morning. The cases examined 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.
4. Hospitals and Convalescent Homes.
We find no difficutly in securing Hospital treatment for any cases.
The Borough Council maintains a bed at the East End Lying-in Home
for women whose husbands are out of work, and who are not eligible for
maternity benefit.
A cot is reserved at the Stepney Nursing Home for Babies one year,
who are in urgent need of skilled nursing and attention. Delicate illnourished
babies do very well in this Home.
Mothers and babies are sent to convalescent homes from time to time, and
toddlers are sent to the Marjorie Lumley Holiday Home, at Maidenhead.
5. Sewing Classes.
A sewing class is held once a week at Spitalfields, Wapping and St.
George's Centres. We hope to re-open the Limehouse sewing class shortly.