View report page

8
homes belong to other districts, and the births are transferable.
(3) Health Visitors.—Mrs. H. Underwood took up her appointment as
Health Visitor on 4th January.
The following particulars of the work done by the Health Visitors are
taken from Form M.C.W.96 (Revised), which was sent to the Ministry of
Health in advance of this report.
Number of visits paid during the year by the Health Visitors:—
(a) To children under one year of age:—
First visits 732
Total visits 3,290
(b) To children between the ages of one and five years:—
Total visits 3,058
Infant Welfare Centres.—The following attendances were recorded at
the five Centres serving the Wanstead and Woodford residents:—
(a) Children under one year of age 6,194
(b) Children between the ages of one and five years 2,869
The Centres were closed, except for the sale of infant food, etc., from
the last week in June owing to enemy action.
4. Child Life Protection.—The Health Visitors are appointed Child
Life Protection Visitors under Part VII of the Public Health Act, 1936.
There were ten foster-mothers and ten foster-children on the Register
at the end of the year.
A total of 70 visits were paid by the Visitors.
Illegitimate Children.—Our Health Visitors are giving special attention
to the care of illegitimate children. We find that these children are
frequently moved from place to place, and every effort is made to trace
them and keep in touch with them. If they move out of the district to any
known address, a notification is sent to the Health Authority of the district
to which they go. Help is also given to the mothers in the special difficulties
which confront them.
5. (a) Arrangements for Dental Cases.—Arrangements were made
with the local dentists in 1937 to undertake the dental treatment of expectant
and nursing mothers and children under school age. Their charges are on
an agreed scale and the fees payable by the patients are assessed according
to their means, on a scale similar to that of the Essex County Council.
During the year 1944, 10 mothers and 2 children were treated under
this Scheme.
(b) Arrangements for Orthopaedic cases.—There is an orthopaedic
clinic at The Shrubberies, 98 High Road, South Woodford, directed conjointly
by the British Red Cross Society and the Essex County Council.
Section C. Sanitary Circumstances of the Area.
1. (1) Water Supply.—The water service throughout the district is
supplied by the Metropolitan Water Board.