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8
Issue of Fruit Juices and other Supplements. The distribution of the
Government fruit juices and cod-liver-oil was continued, throughout the year, at
the food offices and all first-aid posts.
Midwifery Services. The domiciliary midwifery service in London is administered
by the County Council, the mid wives working in collaboration with the
Borough ante-natal clinics.
Institutional midwifery was available in Woolwich only at the British Hospital
for Mothers and Babies and at the Eltham Cottage Hospital, the maternity wards
of the Memorial Hospital and of St. Nicholas' Hospital being closed. Woolwich
mothers were, however, also admitted to London County Council hospitals outside
the Woolwich area, notably to St. Alfege's, and Lewisham Hospitals ; also, through
the Evacuation Scheme, to the Ministry of Health Evacuation Maternity Homes and
Hostels outside London. Under the Council's agreement with the British Hospital
for Mothers and Babies, accommodation is reserved at this Hospital for 144 of the
Council's cases per annum. When the maternity wards of the Memorial Hospital
closed, an arrangement was made for an extra 72 cases per annum to be admitted,
but this terminated at the end of the year as the maternity unit at the Memorial
Hospital was to re-open on the 1st January, 1945. In addition, by arrangement with
the London County Council in February, 1944, accommodation was reserved for
further 168 cases per annum, the London County Council accepting financial
responsibility.
During 1944, 1,364 mothers were admitted to the British Hospital for Mothers
and Babies, 746 of these were Woolwich mothers, 260 of whom were admitted under
the Council's Scheme. 63 mothers were admitted to the Eltham Cottage Hospital.
Care of Premature Infants. The Ministry of Health issued a circular in
March, containing recommendations for the provision of special facilities for the
care of premature infants. Most of the suggested facilities were already available in
Woolwich, but, in addition, the Council approved the appointment of a Consultant
Paediatrician, Dr. Doyne Bell, and the purchase of draughtproof cots.
Home Helps. During the year 101 applications were considered and 77 Home
Helps were provided.
Care of Illegitimate Infants. A scheme was adopted by the Council in
1944, which included guaranteed payments to foster-mothers undertaking the care
of illegitimate infants, and a contribution to a fund to provide financial assistance to
Moral Welfare Associations, such contribution to be based on rateable value and
paid to the Metropolitan Boroughs' Standing Joint Committee, which administers
the fund.
Convalescence for Children Under Five. Under the Council's arrangement
with the Invalid Children's Aid Association, 23 children were sent to convalescent
homes.
War-Time Day-Nurseries. By the end of 1943, five day-nurseries, providing
accommodation for 207 children, were in operation in the Borough. Three were