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A separate bedroom for mother and infant as advocated;
instructions on improvisation and detailed advice on the care
of the infant were given. The services of a paediatrician
was available and a home help provided when necessary.
Care of Illegitimate Children.
(d) The provisions of the Ministry of Health Circular
2866 were followed and most of the suggestions outlined in the
circular were covered with the exception that a separate welfare
worker was not appointed. Close co-operation, however, existed
between the officers of the Welfare Authority and Welfare Workers
at the Kingston Deanery Home. Financial contribution of 50%
(the Surrey County Council paying the other 50%) towards the
salary of a full-time welfare worker was granted by the Corporation
up to the 5th. July, 1948. Approximately 50% of the time of the
worker was spent on Kingston cases.
During the pre-natal stages, Health Visitors kept in touch
with expectant mothers and, when necessary, contacted the
grand-parents, welfare workers in factories, hospital almoners,
moral welfare workers and others. Similar contacts were made
during the post-natal stages, and, in addition, admissions to
Day Nurseries were arranged, foster-mothers visited and attendance
at the Maternity and Child Welfare Clinics encouraged.
Assistance was given also by hospital almoners and associated
workers who helped the mothers to find work and lodgings.
(v) Health Visitors.
The position as regards personnel of Health Visitors is
indicated at the beginning of this Report.
The Health Visitors are also School Nurses and Child
Protection Visitors.
The Health Visitors, while acting as School Nurses, were
under the administration of the Surrey County Council, which
is the Education Authority for the Area. The school nurses
dealt with Kingston schools under the North Central Divisional
Executive Committee, which covers Kingston, Malden, Esher and
Surbiton, and for which your Medical Officer of Health is also
Divisional School Medical Officer.
Towards the end of 1947 the Council lost the services by
resignation to retirement, of Miss C.A.Hookway, S.R.N., S.C.M.
H.V. who had been Health Visitor with the Council from 31.5.26
and Senior Health Visitor from 1.9.37.
It is pleasing to record that her going was regretted by
all who worked at the clinics. Her personal sincerity and
devotion in all her work was a tremendous influence for good
among mothers, teachers, clinic workers, nurses, doctors and
others.
We were fortunate to be able to appoint in her place Miss
F.I.Arnold who had worked with her far many years, and fortunate
again that she was later appointed by the Surrey County Council
as Divisional Health Visitor for the North Central Division.
Miss Arnold brings to her duties her own particular enthusiasm
and leadership in the high tradition of the post.