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7
Midwifery Services. There are no whole-time midwives employed by the
Council, the Domiciliary Midwifery Service in London being administered by the
London County Council. Maternity beds are normally provided in the British
Hospital for Mothers and Babies, the War Memorial Hospital, the Eltham Cottage
Hospital, the Military Families' Hospital, St. Nicholas' Hospital, and a few in
midwives' homes. At the outbreak of war the War Memorial Hospital, the Military
Families' Hospital and St. Nicholas' Hospital closed their maternity wards, and as
a result a greater demand was made on the British Hospital for Mothers and Babies,
During 1942, 1,231 mothers were admitted to this hospital; 195 of these were
admitted under the Council's scheme. No cases were admitted under the Council's
scheme for ante-natal or emergency treatment.
Home Helps. During the year 95 applications were considered by the Committee
and 57 home helps were provided.
Dental Treatment. The number of mothers and children attending the
dental clinics was 393, and the number of tuberculous persons attending was 10.
The total number of attendances was 1,045.
Issue of Clothing Coupons to Expectant Mothers. In connection with
clothes rationing, the Health Department is responsible for the issue of special
coupons to expectant mothers residing in the Borough. During the year, 2,282
applications were granted, and 127,800 coupons were issued.
Issue of Fruit Juices, etc. The Government scheme for the issue of fruit
juices and cod liver oil for children is administered through the Maternity and
Child Welfare Clinics. This resulted in considerable congestion at the Centres and
at the end of the year consideration was being given to an alternative method of
distribution.
Supply of Milk to Necessitous Mothers and Children. The approximate
cost of this service during the year was : Dried milk, £158 17s. 6d. ; fresh milk,
nil; dinners, nil.
War-time Nurseries. The first war-time day nursery was opened in Bloomfield
Road London County Council School on the 9th February. It provided
places for 40 children and was later extended to accommodate 60 children. The
second nursery was established in the London County Council's Cyril Henry Treatment
Centre, St. Mary's Street, Woolwich, which was erected for use as a day nursery
during the last war. It now accommodates 37 children and was opened on the 18th
May. The last nursery included in the Council's initial programme was opened
on the 10th August. It was established in the Woolwich Borough Council Sports
Pavilion, Harrow Meadow, Eltham Road, and provides places for 60 children.
In addition to the Council's nurseries, the London County Council Rest Centres
at Earl Rise School, Plumstead and Roper Hall, Eltham, were adapted for use as
day nurseries for children betw een the ages of 2 and 5 years only. These nurseries
are staffed and equipped by the London County Council but the children are admitted
through the Health Department and medical supervision is provided by the Council.
The provision of further nurseries was under consideration at the end of theyear.