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In order to facilitate the carrying out of instructions and
suggestions of the Minister, a conference of all Welfare Authorities
in Middlesex was called by the County Medical Officer in 1944.
The County Medical Officer stated that investigations carried
out before calling the conference indicated that the problem was
at present largely a County concern in that it was being encountered
by the Almoners in the Maternity Departments of the County
Hospitals (where 50% of the births occur), by the Public Assistance
Department, in the County V.D. Clinics and in the County's
Maternity and Child Welfare area by the County Midwives and
Health Visitors.
The cases to be dealt with fell into three classes :
(a) those in which the girl is able to return home to her
parents with her baby.
(b) those in which adoption of the child is advisable on
account of the extreme youth of the mother, or of
the fact that she is a married woman.
(c) those for which there is need of shelter to which the
mother, after confinement, may go with her baby
and stay for a time in an atmosphere of security
until, with sympathy and help, she is able to
re-establish herself and make a permanent home for
herself and child.
(a) and (b) are dealt with by special attention by Health
Visitors in co-operation with the Hammersmith Moral Welfare
Society. As regards (c) this Authority joined in the County
Scheme in which a Special Services Almoner (Miss Myer) was
appointed to visit and investigate cases on the lines laid down
in the Circular and consult with Health Visitors and other workers.
The County also overcame perhaps the most difficult problem,
of finding accommodation for the expectant mother and for the
mother and child, by making arrangements with the British Red
Cross for beds in two- hostels :—
(i) Before the birth of child— at 16, The Park, Golders
Green.
(ii) After the birth of child—at B.R.C. Hostel, " Maryland,"
Hendon.
The charge is 35/- per week at each hostel and this charge
includes the baby at "Maryland."
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