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(r) Reservation of twelve beds for children under 5 years of age who are suffering
from such conditions as are usually treated in a general hospital, at the
War Memorial Hospital.
(s) Provision of beds for the institutional treatment of midwifery for 144 cases
per annum at the British Hospital for Mothers and Babies, and for 66 cases
at the War Memorial Hospital.
(t) Reservation of beds, for ante-natal treatment and emergencies of midwifery,
at the War Memorial Hospital, equivalent to 18 weeks' treatment
per annum.
(u) An arrangement with the Woolwich Invalid Children's Aid Association for
the Convalescent Home treatment of children requiring such treatment.
(v) Convalescent Home treatment for expectant and nursing mothers.
(w) Arrangements for the supply and distribution to young children, expectant
and nursing mothers, of milk and food drugs at cost price, half cost or free,
according to economic circumstances.
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 :—-
(x) Under the Blind Persons Act, 1920.
(,y) Under Section 6 of the Widows', Orphans' and Old Age Contributory Pensions
Act, 1925.
Staff.—Three whole-time medical officers are in medical charge of the clinics,
each of whom devotes eight half-days per week to Maternity and Child Welfare and
three half-days to Tuberculosis. One part-time medical officer takes charge of the
Toddlers' examination clinic, and two consultants have been appointed—one for the
Artificial Sunlight Clinic and one for consultation in connection with cases of Puerperal
Sepsis and difficult obstetric conditions occurring at home. The dental staff—
two dentists and an anaesthetist—are part-time and are appointed by the School
Treatment Committee subject to the approval of the Council. The health visiting
staff now consists of twelve whole-time health visitors : three of these are part-time
sanitary inspectors and all but one, who is the Artificial Sunlight Clinic Nurse, are
Infant Life Protection Visitors. It is the practice of the Council to appoint additional
temporary health visitors during epidemics of measles.
Public Health (London) Act, Part XII.—Every birth occurring in the
Borough requires to be notified to the Medical Officer of Health within thirty-six
hours of birth and only a very small percentage of births are not notified. As soon
as a notification is received, pamphlets dealing with the care and comfort of mothers
and infants are sent by post to every mother. Subsequently, between the tenth and
fourteenth day, a visit is paid to the home by the health visitor, who decides on
her first visit, the necessity for subsequent visits.