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SECTION VIII.—MATERNITY AND CHILD
WELFARE.
Staff. The staff at the end of the year is shown in detail
in Section III. It consists of one whole-time Medical Officer,
one half-time Medical Officer, six Health Visitors, two Sanitary
Inspectors and Health Visitors, one Health Visitor and
Sunlight Clinic Nurse, and two Clerks. In addition to these,
a band of voluntary workers attend the centres regularly
each week and assist the staff. Their services are greatly
appreciated.
Administrative Action in Connection with the Notification
of Births. Under the terms of the Notification of Births
Acts, 1907-1915, notification of every birth in the Borough
has to be sent to the Medical Officer of Health within 36
hours of birth, and it is customary to send appropriate literature
to the mother as soon as the notification is received.
When the doctor or midwife has ceased to attend, a visit is
paid by one of the Health Visitors, in all cases where such
visits are considered necessary or desirable. The visit
usually takes place about the fourteenth day. The necessity
for subsequent visitation is judged by the impressions gained
by the Health Visitor on her first visit, but as a general rule
the following standard is adhered to:—three visits during
the first year and one visit in each subsequent year up to the
age of five years. When notification is received from other
Medical Officers of Health, of Woolwich births outside the
borough, the same procedure is followed out. Notifications
in the borough regarding children of non-Woolwich
residents are referred to the Medical Officer of Health
concerned.