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Health Visiting.—The increased programme of clinics at which
the attendance of the Health Visitors is required, considerably
curtailed the time at their disposal for visiting the homes of mothers
and children. In consequence the total visits, exclusive of those
made in respect of infant life protection, fell from 10685 in 1936
to 6039 for the year under review. Since the close of the year,
special toddler clinics have been instituted and these will make
further in-roads into the time available for home visiting. An
early increase in the staff of Visitors to 5 is thereby foreshadowed.
Home visiting is probably the most effective phase of the welfare
service and its place in the scheme must not suffer by reason of
increased clinic facilities.
Details of the home visits made (exclusive of visits under Infant
Life Protection provisions) were as follows:—
To expectant mothers—
First visits 210
Total visits 544
To children under 1 year—
First visits 871
Total visits 4,704
To children 1—5 years—
Total visits 6,039
'Assisted' Milk and Other Foods.—Assistance given to
mothers and children in the form of milk and foods was on a
somewhat smaller scale than in the year before. Nevertheless
the quantity supplied was considerable and this expenditure
undoubtedly gives an ample return in benefit to health and physical
development. It is one of those practical measures which are
necessary if the advice and teaching given to the mothers under
the scheme is to be implemented and made effective.
The manner in which this help was distributed is shown in
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