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9
Sanction was obtained from the Ministry of Health for the use of an ad hoc
first aid post at Lionel Road, Eltham, as a maternity and child welfare centre
but the necessary work of adaptation had not been carried out at the end of the
year.
The attendances at the maternity and child welfare centres were as follows :
expectant mothers 7,899; nursing mothers 4,604; children 47,289.
Toddlers' Clinics. The clinics were well attended and 3,015 toddlers'
inspections were carried out, as compared with 1,057 in 1944. The general standard
of health was satisfactory. Again dental caries, minor anaemia, orthopaedic
defects and chronic infections of the upper respiratory tract formed the majority
of the conditions requiring treatment.
Health Visiting. The number of visits paid by health visitors to children
under five years of age was 20,643 ; the total number of visits paid by health visitors
was 28,029.
Child Life Protection. There were 19 foster-mothers on the register at the
end of 1945—the same number as at the end of 1944—and there were 21 fosterchildren.
The number of visits paid by child life protection visitors was 148.
Artificial Sunlight Clinic. The artificial sunlight clinic at the old Town
Hall continued its work. The number of treatments given was 10,228.
Dental Treatment. The number of mothers and of children under five
attending the dental clinics was 397; the number of tuberculous persons, 7; and
the total number of attendances, 1,200.
Minor Ailments. The number of children under five years of age referred
to school clinics for treatment of minor ailments was 155.
Issue of Fruit Juices and other Supplements. The distribution of the
Government fruit juices and cod liver oil was continued at the food offices throughout
the year and at all first aid posts until the disbandment of Civil Defence in
May. With the closing of the first aid posts, arrangements were made for distribution
at certain welfare centres, the Food Office supplying staff in some cases.
Midwifery Services. The Domiciliary Midwifery Service in London is
administered by the County Council, the midwives working in collaboration with
the Borough ante-natal clinics. Institutional midwifery was available in Woolwich
at the British Hospital for Mothers and Babies, at the Eltham Cottage Hospital,
and at the War Memorial Hospital. The maternity ward at St. Nicholas' Hospital
remained closed. Some Woolwich mothers were admitted to London County
Council hospitals outside the Woolwich area, notably 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