London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Harrow 1968
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Harrow]
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29
PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICES
These services are provided under Part III of the National Health
Service Act of 1946.
Section 22 — Care of Mothers and Young Children
In line with the changing pattern of ante-natal care from local
authority clinic to hospital and/or general practitioner surgery, the number
of sessions for ante-natal and post-natal care were further reduced during
the year. Facilities were still provided at several centres for those patients
who were either referred by hospital or general practitioner for routine
surveillance or who, for some other reason, preferred to attend a local
authority clinic. Eventually it is expected that all ante-natal services will
be provided at hospital and at doctor/midwife sessions in general
practitioner surgeries.
The local authority's work in this sphere is now mainly directed at
preparing the mother for her confinement. This preparation takes the
form of mothercraft and relaxation clases which are held at the various
clinics throughout the Borough. Each preparation course lasts between
8/9 weeks and starts during the fifth month of pregnancy.
The following table gives the number of children attending infant welfare and toddlers' sessions from 1964 to 1968.
| Year | Number of Children Attending Clinics |
|---|---|
| 1964 | 10,527 |
| 1965 | 11,647 |
| 1966 | 12,224 |
| 1967 | 11,963 |
| 1968 | 10,833 |
Care of the Unsupported Mother and her Child
This type of case presents many problems, many of which can be
very difficult to resolve. There is no set pattern for dealing with them—
each case being considered in the light of all circumstances and the best
solution possible worked out in the interest of the mother and child.