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In addition to these services the Council have, at the request of the London
County Council, undertaken to do such work as is necessary in the case of children
under five years of age
(r) Under the Blind Persons Act, 1920; and
(s) Under Section 6 of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory
Pensions Act, 1925.
For these purposes the Council maintain a staff of one whole-time and two
part-time medical officers, seven whole-time and two part-time health visitors, one
artificial sunlight nurse, and, in addition, two members of the honorary medical
staff of the Woolwich War Memorial Hospital have been appointed Consultants—
one in charge of the Sunlight Clinic and the other under the Puerperal Fever
Regulations. The dental staff (dentist and anaesthetist) are part-time, and are
appointed by the School Treatment Committee but subject to the approval of the
Council.
The growth of these services over a quarter of a century is a very interesting
story. The following account, which was written in connection with the opening
of the Eltham Health Centre, presents it in a simple and concise manner:—
"Oaks out of little acorns grow" is a truism than can be applied very aptly
to this service, and the opening of this Health Centre—the latest branch of this
sturdy tree—provides an opportunity for referring to the growth of the Council's
activities in this very important service.
The acorn may be said to have been planted in 1906, as in that year the
Council's first steps in the individual care of the mother and child were taken by
appointing the first health visitor (part-time) and establishing a milk depot for
supplying sterilised and humanised milk to infants. Most of the babies supplied
with milk were brought fortnightly to be weighed, and, on one afternoon a week,
advice was given to mothers regarding their babies. This depot, therefore, was the
forerunner of the present extensive welfare centre service.
Growth was slow at first, but an impetus was given to it by the Notification
of Births Act, which was adopted in 1907. This Act required a birth to be notified
direct to the Medical Officer of Health within 36 hours of birth, thus enabling the
department to get in touch with the parent soon after the birth of the child, instead
of waiting, as hitherto, until the notification was received from the registrars of
birth—which was any time between one and six weeks after the birth.
The milk depot was closed in 1909, but the infant consultations were continued
at the Town Hall, and the attendances increased gradually. From this time the
health visitor was almost wholly engaged on welfare work, and later on, received
help from temporary assistants.