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Unmarried Mothers. Close and friendly co-operation has been maintained with the
Moral Welfare Worker employed by the Chelmsford Diocesan Moral Welfare Association, and
with the Committee and the Superintendent of St. Agatha's Hostel which is situated in the
Borough. Miss Batts, who is a trained nurse and midwife, took up her duties as Superintendent
of the hostel in July, 1957. and during the year adaptations were carried out
at the hostel, which made it possible for a new milk-room and day nursery to come into use.
Miss Treacher, who is employed by the Chelmsford Diocesan Moral Welfare Association,
has continued to undertake the social work involved in helping and advising the unmarried
mother, and in placing her in suitable accommodation before and after the birth of the baby.
Any unmarried mother needing help and advice can be referred to Miss Treacher, who is
available at St. Agatha's hostel on Tuesday evenings from 4.30 p.m., or at her Ilford office,
should this be more convenient.
During the year 6 West Ham mothers who were in need of care and accommodation were
admitted to St. Agatha's hostel. Of these, 5 were admitted before and again after the birth
of the baby, and 1 was admitted only after her confinement. Seven West Ham mothers were
admitted to hostels outside the borough. When necessary, financial assistance was given
towards maintenance.
CHILD WELFARE.
Infant Welfare Sessions. The needs of the area have been met by a total of 17
sessions per week held at the Municipal Centres and at the South West Ham Child Welfare
Centre. In the Silvertown area the child welfare session is combined with ante-natal and
immunisation clinics, as it has been found that this is sufficient to meet the needs. Six
children and 1 expectant mother resident in neighbouring areas attended West Ham clinics,
and 3 children resident in West Ham are known to have attended clinics in other areas.
Toddlers' Clinics. In addition to the 17 sessions mentioned above, an average of 4
special toddlers' clinics were held weekly. At these, 2,875 children attended in response to
the 7,349 invitations to come for examination on their 2nd, 3rd or 4th birthday. There
were 2,745 children whose general condition was regarded as satisfactory, and 130 in whom it
was recorded as unsatisfactory. In the same group of children there were 2,620 whose cleanliness
of body and clothing was recorded as good, 231 in whom it was found to be not entirely
satisfactory, and 24 in whom it was poor. One child was found to have infestation of the
body.
Defects or deviations from normality found in the same group of children are shown
below. The table includes conditions observed by the doctor or described by the mother and
recorded at the time of the examination. The classification of defect in these pre-school
children is in line with that prescribed by the Ministry of Education for school children.
No differentiation is made between major and minor defects, but no defect is recorded unless
it is considered necessary to advise treatment or to keep the child under observation.
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