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In addition to their work in the homes, the Health Visitors systematically attend at the
various Centres during the medical sessions for the control and management of the clinics.
INFANT LIFE PROTECTION VISITOR.
In April, 1933, under an Order of the Minister of Health, the supervision of all fostermothers
in Fulham was transferred from the London County Council to the Borough Council.
Fvery foster-mother in the Borough is now required to be approved as such by the Council as
the local authority.
At the end of the year there were 87 foster-mothers with 116 children in their care. The
Infant Life Protection Visitor paid 1605 visits to foster-mothers and inspected 1991 children
at such visits. In addition 231 special visits were made and 567 visits were made to cases of
measles.
There was a scarcity of foster-mothers during the year. The Department would be glad
to hear of suitable candidates for approval as foster-mothers, as there are more applications for
their services than can be met.
The duties of the Infant Protection Visitor are closely associated with those of the
Health Visitors, and foster-mothers are urged to bring their charges to the Infant Welfare Centres,
that they may be under regular medical supervision.
Close co-operation is also maintained between the Infant Life Protection Visitor and the
School Authorities, as her duties relate to children between birth and the age of nine years.
The Visitor possesses the "right of entry," and may visit at night as well as by day, when
necessary.
The Maternity and Child Welfare Department also maintains touch with the National
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
NOTIFICATIONS OF BIRTH.
The Birth Rate was again slightly higher last year (14.9 compared with 13.8 in 1935). Under
the Notification of Births Acts, "2078 births were notified to the Department during the year,
oi which 52 were stillborn. The number of births notified by midwives was 1902, and by doctors
and parents 176. The stillbirths equalled 2.6 per cent, of the notified births.
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE CENTRES.
There are three Maternity and Child Welfare Centres in the Borough, viz:—90/92,
Greyhound Road; 170, Wandsworth Bridge Road; and at Melmoth Hall, Eustace Road; all of
which are attended by the Medical Officers in this Department. The times of the sessions are
detailed on page 26.
The total attendances at the clinics increased by 3,325, and the first attendances of children
under one year of age represented 56 per cent, ol the notified live births.