View report page

8
Health Visiting. The number of visits paid by health visitors to children
under five years of age was 18,610 ; the total number of visits was 24,160.
Child Life Protection. There were 23 foster mothers on the register at the
end of 1947, two more than at the end of 1946, and there were 16 foster childrenThe
number of visits paid by child life protection visitors was 113.
Artificial Sunlight Clinic. A total of 10,007 treatments was given at this
clinic, compared with 10,391 in 1946.
Dental Treatment. The numbers of mothers and children under five
attending the dental clinic were 282 and 371 respectively, and the number of
tuberculous persons was 22. The total number of attendances was 1,900.
Minor Ailments. The number of children under five years of age referred
to school clinics for treatment of minor ailments was 496.
Issue of Fruit Juices and other Supplements. The distribution of the
Government fruit juices and cod liver oil was continued throughout the year at
certain welfare centres.
Midwifery Service. This is administered in London by the London County
Council. No substantial change took place in the midwifery services, which were
dealt with fully in the Annual Report for 1945.
Arrangements were made during the year for midwives' sessions to be held at
the Central Health Centre, Market Street, Woolwich. Mothers attend at these
sessions for booking and ante-natal examination. The innovation has proved
beneficial to patient and midwife alike.
During the year 1,323 mothers were admitted to the British Hospital for
Mothers and Babies. Of these, 824 were Woolwich mothers, 311 of whom were
admitted under the Council's scheme. The number of admissions to the maternity
unit of the Memorial Hospital was 280. Of these, 75 were Woolwich mothers, 66
of whom were admitted under the Council's scheme. Admissions to the Eltham
Cottage Hospital numbered 62.
Care of Premature Infants. The action taken in connection with the care
of premature infants is in conformity with the Ministry of Health circular No. 20/44.
The number of babies born in the Borough whose birth weight was 5J lbs. or
less was 113. Of these, 42 were born in hospital and 31 in private houses. Of those
born in hospital, 2 died during the first twenty-four hours and 34 survived at the
end of four weeks. Of those born in private houses, 5 were admitted to hospital;
none died during the first twenty-four hours and 25 survived at the end of four
weeks. No applications for the loan of draught-proof cots or other equipment or
for the services of the Consultant Paediatrician were received.
Home Helps. The Council's scheme provides for domestic assistance in
confinement cases and in cases of illness where the housewife is incapacitated or
where old people are concerned. The total number of cases in which domestic help
was provided was 561 ; 309 in confinement cases and 252 in cases of illness. Whereas