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Free Meals for Expectant and Nursing Mothers.
This Scheme came into operation in January, 1930. It provides
for a free dinner daily (including Sundays and all Public
Holidays) to necessitous expectant mothers from the commencement
of the fifth month of pregnancy, and to necessitous mothers
who are breast-feeding their infants. Arrangements tor this help
can only be made through attendance at a Clinic, each application
to the Medical Officer of Health having to be endorsed by the
Clinic Medical Officer.
By agreement with the Education Committee, it has been
possible to arrange for the mothers to attend the various School
Dining Centres, of which there are twelve, so situated as to be
accessible to all areas of the Borough. The mothers attend at a
time separate from the school children. The menus are varied
and well balanced. Special diet is arranged where such is
indicated by the report of the Clinic Medical Officer.
As previously stated in this report, the improved state of
health in those women who have taken full advantage of this
Scheme is very evident to the Medical Officers of the Clinics.
The Scheme is of too recent origin to be able to compile statistics,
but as a result of the improved nutrition of mothers there will
undoubtedly ensue an improvement in the health ot the young
infant and the growing child.
During 193(3, .15,971 free dinners were provided at the Dining
Centres to mothers.
Convalescence for Nursing Mothers and their Infants.
Throughout 1936 the four beds rented by the Council have
been constantly occupied ; three mothers with their infants up to 3
months of age, are sent every fortnight to "Child Haven," Brentwood,
the convalescent home of the West Ham Central Mission,
and one mother every fortnight is admitted to the London
Mothers' Convalescent Home, Sunningdale.
The mothers are recommended from the various Clinics in the
Borough and by the Health Visitors ; each mother is examined
prior to being sent away by the Senior Assistant Medical Officer
for Maternity and Child Welfare. A report is received from the
Matron of each Home on the discharge of the patients, with
details of the progress of mother and baby while away.
At both Homes the treatment and care given to the mothers
is of the very best. Every endeavour is made to enable the
mothers to rest and relax; this freedom from work and worry,
coupled with the good diet and happy, pleasant surroundings,
restore these women mentally as well as physically, so that they
return fit to carry on the many duties of their home life.
During 1936 it was possible to send away under the Scheme
96 mothers with their infants, of whom 70 went to "Child
Haven" and 20 to Sunningdale.
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