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The work of ante-natal consultations must grow as it becomes better known, and, in view of
the excellent arrangements made by the Voluntary Committees, it is to be hoped that more expectant
mothers will take advantage of them, and thus remove as far as possible all danger of disease
and accident in their confinements.
Home Visiting.—The Council's Women Health Officers receive all notifications of birth, and
these are transferred to History Cards. They pay "first visits" to infants in order to ascertain
certain information required by the Council in respect of births. If the mother of the child is in
regular attendance at an Infant Welfare Centre, the Health Officer transfers the History Card to the
Welfare Sister who pays the subsequent home visits. Apart from "first visits," the Council's
Health Officer confines her attention to cases not in attendance at Welfare Centres or to difficult
cases transferred back to her by the Welfare Sister.
Details Concerning Individual Centres.
Archer Street Infant Welfare Centre.
This Centre serves the southern part of the Pembridge Ward. Infant consultations are held
by the Medical Officer on two afternoons in each week and ante-natal and dental clinics are each
held twice monthly. Baths are provided for the mothers. In addition to these activities there
are Boot, Clothing, Blanket, Maternity and Denture Clubs connected with the institution. A
voluntary masseuse also attends at this Centre and massage treatment is provided free of charge.
Bramley Road Infant Welfare Centre.
This Centre serves the Norland Ward and part of the St. Charles Ward, and has within its
area one of the poorest districts in the Borough. It is the oldest of the Kensington centres, having
been established as far back as 1907. In fact it is one of the pioneer centres in the Country. In
1919, the work of this Centre had grown to such an extent that it was found necessary to open a
Branch at the premises of the Kensington District Nursing Association in Kenley Street. Three
infant consultation sessions are held weekly at Bramley Road and one at the Kenley Street Branch.
Ante-natal clinics are also held weekly. Arrangements are made for dental work to be carried out
at the Minor Ailment Centre which is conducted on the Nursing Association's premises in Kenley
Street. Knitting and Sewing Classes are held weekly. There is a Maternity Club and Dental
Savings Bank.
The Infant Welfare work at Kenley Street cannot properly be developed to meet the needs of
Notting Dale owing to inadequate accommodation. With a view to removing this bar to progress,
the Council have purchased a house and shop, and five small lock-up shops adjoining the Nursing
Association premises, and have decided to erect upon the site an Infant Welfare Centre, which will
be situated on the ground floor, and five flats. The plans of the new premises have received the
approval of the Ministry of Health and the London County Council, and the work of demolition
of the old premises has commenced. It is hoped that the new Infant Welfare Centre will be
opened during the course of the present year. The Bramley Road Infant Welfare Centre Committee
are appointing a special committee to take over the Centre and it will be conducted in a
similar manner to the other voluntary Welfare Centres in the Borough. The Borough Council are
financiallv responsible for the erection of the premises and the Committee of the Centre will pay
an annual rent to the Council for their use.
C\mpden Hill Infant Welfare Centre.
This Centre, to which the Holland Ward is allotted, is housed in splendidly equipped premises
which were specially erected for the purpose. Infant consultations are held twice weekly and
ante-natal clinics once monthly. Knitting and Sewing Classes are held weekly and baths are
provided for mothers. The Committee have an arrangement with a local dentist under which
mothers can be sent to his private surgery for dental treatment. Massage treatment is provided
at this Centre, the Masseuse giving her services voluntarily.
Earl's Court Infant Welfare Centre.
The Welfare work for poor mothers and children in the Queen's Gate, Earl's Court, Redcliffe
and Brompton Wards is performed at this institution. As most of the houses and flats in these
wards are occupied by persons who can afford private medical advice and treatment, one Centre
is found sufficient; but owing to the large area to be covered, some mothers have to travel considerable
distances to reach the Centre in Warwick Road. The size of the area increases the
difficulty of home visiting.
Infant consultations are held twice weekly, dental clinics fortnightly, and ante-natal clinics
once monthly This Centre also has a Maternity Club.
A Fathers' Council was established at this Centre during the latter part of the year.