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10
DENTAL SERVICE FOR EXPECTANT & NURSING MOTHERS
AND CHILDREN UNDER 5 YEARS OF AGE
(Table 5)
The general dental condition of children under five does not vary materially except, as in the last
few years, a greater percentage of these children suffer from decay of the anterior teeth. All too frequently
when the child is first seen the only possible treatment for these teeth is extraction. This can be a traumatic
experience on the child's first introduction to dentistry and it means that in many cases orthodontic treatment
will be required later during school life. Far too many parents and prospective parents are apathetic concerning
or completely unaware of the importance of dental health and do not avail themselves of the facilities for
advice and treatment.
PREVENTION OF BREAK-UP OF FAMILIES
Families in need of extra support, help and guidance, remain an urgent and priority group in the
work of the health visitors. Work in depth is undertaken in co-operation with officers in other Departments.
Until October, 1967, Family Service Unit work in Brent was undertaken by the West London Branch.
A Brent Branch was then formed and is now well established at 8 Neasden Lane. This has facilitated the
liaison between officers and case workers which is a vital part of the work. Personal1 contact and case discussions
were arranged when necessary. Other Departments and agencies use the service, but all requests and
referrals are channelled through the Health Visiting Service.
During 1968, the Unit employed a Fieldwork Organiser, two Caseworkers and a part-time Secretary.
Twelve new cases were accepted, eight cases were closed, and the case load at the end of the year was 40
families.
The Council made a grant of £4,000 to the Unit in 1968/69.
DAY NURSERIES
(Tables 6 and 7)
The demand for admission to the Council's twelve day nurseries has continued at a high level. The
standard charge remained at 17/6d. per child per day with a minimum charge of 1/- per day.
Sixteen students completed their two-year period of training and 13 obtained the N.N.E.B. Certificate.
One nursery nurse attended a six-week senior course for qualified and experienced nursery staff at Southwark
College of Further Education. Two matrons attended the Annual Conference of the National Association
of Nursery Matrons.
The building of the new 50-place Shoot-up-Hill Day Nursery was completed on 28th June, 1968, and
on 5th August the first children were admitted. It is anticipated that the final cost of the building will be
£46,880, and the cost of furniture £6,500.
Phase I of works at Vale Farm Day Nursery commenced on 24th June, 1968, and were completed
on 29th November at a cost of £4,493. The works comprised improvements to the babies' wing and to the
heating and hot water services. A specification for Phase II of the works was in course of preparation at the
end of the year. New admission, except short term, have been discontinued until all the works have been completed.
In view of extensive alterations which are scheduled for Mortimer Road Nursery in the early part of
1969, the register of children attending the Nursery was slowly run down, and staff vacancies were not filled.
The incorporation of a 50-place nursery within the Neighbourhood Centre Scheme at the junction of
Harlesden Road and Longstone Avenue made good progress. Tenders for the Scheme were invited at the end
of October, and the apportionment of costs was considered by the various Committees concerned with the
project in December. Application for loan sanction was made to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government
in January, 1969. It is estimated that the cost of the nursery will amount to £48,450, and furniture
to £7,000.
CARE OF THE UNSUPPORTED MOTHER AND HER CHILD
(Table 8)
Residential accommodation for ante- and post-natal periods is provided by the Council in "Bellevue"
Mother and Baby Home which accommodates 12 mothers and 12 babies. Use was also made of similar homes
run by other local authorities and voluntary organisations. The services of a Medical Social Worker are provided
to deal with cases referred from many quarters for help, which includes counselling and advice, where
necessary hostel placement before and after delivery, and, most important, after-care for both mother and child.
The services of the Medical Social Worker are shared with the London Borough of Harrow.
At "Bellevue", the year under review was one of continuing smooth operation during which a substantial
programme of internal redecoration was completed.
There was a slight drop in the number of applications for help during 1968. These totalled 205 compared
with 241 in 1967. This decrease would appear to be general in all areas and is thought to be mainly
due to the more readily available oral contraceptive and new legislation relating to legal abortion.
In May, 1968, a meeting of all the London Boroughs was called by the Borough of Camden to discuss
the general effect of the drop in applications for places in mother and baby homes. Two homes run by
voluntary organisations had already closed and it was felt that there may be a need for others to do likewise,