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Maternity and Child Welfare.
The activities in connection with this branch of the Public
Health Service, are closely linked up with the work of the other
departments. The staff consists of 3 Health Visitors, who also
act as school nurses, under the direction of the medical officers.
There are two Welfare Centres—Wandle Bank House and
Queen's Hall—at each of which, " Welfare Sessions " are held
twice weekly. One session is devoted to Infant and Toddler
Welfare and Consultation work, and the other is given to class
instruction in mothercraft, needlework, health talks, etc. Antenatal
Clinics for expectant mothers are held twice monthly
throughout the year.
At the Welfare Centres, dried milks, and other similar food
stuffs are sold at the usual rates for Welfare Centres. Applications
for free milk are dealt with by a Special Sub-Committee,
and each application is considered on its merits. The total
income of the family from all sources is calculated and, after
deducting rent and insurance, the average income per head per
week, should not exceed 5s.
Infants and children under 5 years of age are treated by
arrangement at the School Clinic, Southey Hall, Southey Road.
Operations for tonsils and adenoids are, after investigation as
to income, etc., treated at the local hospitals by arrangement.
Dental cases (both mothers and children) and errors of refraction,
squint and similar cases, are also dealt with at the Clinic.
Pregnant and Nursing Mothers requiring dental extractions or
dentures, aire treated on the recommendations of the Medical
Officers. Dentures are supplied at " cost rates," and in special
cases, the Committee defrays part of the expenses. Cases
requiring special operative treatment for obstetrical and gynaecological
conditions or, in the case of children, for orthopoedio
conditions, are carefully considered by the Medical Officer, and
are given special letters to suitable hospitals. Such cases are
kept under careful observation, both before admission and after
dismissal from hospitals. In a similar way, close co-operation
is carried out in connection with the different Voluntary
Associations and Societies in the district, and in many cases
suitable assistance or change of environment is obtained in this
way. In cases of ophthalmia neonatorum, for example, the ease
is reported to the South Wimbledon District Nursing Association,
and the condition is treated under skilled direction.
In the case of unmarried mothers, assistance and advice is
given in all cases brought to notice, and, if necessary, arrangements
are made through the Health Visitors, as to proper provision
for the confinement. The Health Visitors also make
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