London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Barnes 1919
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barnes]
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Child Welfare.
21
home circumstances are unfavourable to the confinement taking
place there.
A Hostel for Deserted or Unmarried Mothers with their
babies has been opened at Epsom, and provides 10 beds for Surrey
women.
The Surrey C.C. have also made arrangements for the
admission of mothers with children under five years into
Convalescent Homes at Bexhill and St. Leonard's, upon the
recommendation of Medical Officers of Child Welfare Centres.
With regard to Dental Treatment for Expectant Mothers,
1 have drawn up a scheme after conference with the local dentists
which might extend to the children of school age. The scheme,
however, still awaits confirmation by the County.*
Home Helps.—Advertisements were issued for women, for the
work, but met with no response.
The Barnes and Mortlake Day Nursery receives by the day
the children of mothers who have to go out to work.
HEALTH VISITORS.
There are two Health Visitors, one for Barnes and one for Mortlake. An account of their work for the year is summarised below:—
| barnes. | mortlake. | |
|---|---|---|
| School Visits for Inspection for Cleanliness | 242 | 281 |
| No. of children Inspected | 13,619 | 13,972 |
| No. of children excluded for Uncleanliness | 135 | 90 |
| No. of attendances at the various Clinics | 76 | 146 |
| „ ,, at Child Welfare Centre | 77 | 75 |
| „ Infant visits at their Homes | 738 | 933 |
| „ Visits re Infectious Diseases | 53 | 102 |
| „ ,. „ Tuberculosis | 260 | 1 |
| ,, Attendances at Tuberculosis Dispensary | 92 | 5 |
| „ Other Visits | 143 | 175 |
| ,, Babies' attendances at C. W. Centre | 610 | 952 |
| „ Mothers' „ „ „ | 1,126 | 1,396 |
| „ Older children's ,, ,, | 372 | 506 |
* This scheme has been accepted by the County.