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8
Artificial Sunlight Clinic. Artificial sunlight treatment was continued in
the Town Hall shelter, but at the end of the year arrangements were being made
for the transfer of the clinic to more suitable accommodation at the Old Town Hall.
The number of treatments given was 13,655.
Dental Treatment. The number of mothers and children attending the
dental clinics was 412, and the number of tuberculous persons attending was 12.
The total number of attendances was 1,270.
Minor Ailments. The number of children under five years of age referred
to school clinics for treatment of minor ailments during the year was 119.
Meals for Children under Five Years of Age. To assist mothers experiencing
difficulty in providing suitable meals for the under-fives, arrangements
were made for demonstrations of war-time meals suitable for young children to be
given at Woolwich and at Eltham.
Issue of Fruit Juices, etc. When the Government scheme for the issue
of fruit juices and cod liver oil for children was initiated, issues were made at the
maternity and child welfare centres. This resulted in considerable congestion at
some of the centres, and additional means of distribution became necessary.
Arrangements were therefore made for issue at the food offices and at all first aid
posts.
Issue of Clothing Coupons to Expectant Mothers. In July, the responsibility
for the issue of clothing coupons to expectant mothers was transferred to the
Food Office. Prior to the transfer, 1,224 applications were granted, and 73,440
coupons were issued.
Midwifery Services. The Domiciliary Midwifery Service in London is
administered by the London County Council. Institutional midwifery in Woolwich
was available only at the British Hospital for Mothers and Babies and at the Eltham
Cottage Hospital, but beds were also available at other hospitals, notably, St.
Alfege's Hospital and Lewisham Hospital, and through the evacuation scheme.
During 1943, 1,288 mothers were admitted to the British Hospital for Mothers and
Babies, 206 under the Council's scheme. No cases were admitted under the Council's
scheme for ante-natal or emergency treatment. 69 mothers were admitted to the
Eltham Cottage Hospital.
Institutional maternity accommodation has never quite met the demand, and
during the war years the demand has increased whilst the number of beds available
locally has decreased, owing to the closure of the maternity wards of the War
Memorial Hospital, St. Nicholas' Hospital and the Military Families' Hospital.
The Council, therefore, readily accepted the invitation of the British Hospital for
Mothers and Babies to support an application to the Ministry of Health for sanction
to the building of a new block. Unfortunately, the Minister could not approve
the proposal, but permission was subsequently obtained to rebuild a damaged
block.