View report page

93
the earlier part of the year free milk was given in many cases by the
Guardians, in addition to the ordinary relief, but it was found that the
rules under which these grants could be made differed somewhat from
the rules applying to grants under the Maternity and Child Welfare
scheme, and therefore this very useful form of co-operation fell through.
Allowances of free milk or milk at half-price are now made to all
families whose income is below the scale, and who are eligible for it,
whether such income be derived partly from parish relief or no.
2. Staff. Arrangements were made in June that the Hales Street
Centre should be placed under the personal supervision of the Medical
Officer of Health, the other five being in charge of the Maternity and
Child Welfare Medical Officer. In each centre the work is done
primarily by the Health Visitor in whose ward the centre is situated,
and she is assisted by one, and in some cases two, Health Visitors, and
also by voluntary lady workers, whose help is a most valuable asset.
Tea is provided for the mothers at 1d. per cup; and lectures or short
talks are sometimes given to them while waiting, usually by the Medical
Officer of Health. An atmosphere of cheerfulness prevails, and everything
is done to encourage, especially those to whom the struggle for
baby's health is the hardest.
3. Frequency of Attendances. In the earlier months of life
babies are weighed every week; but if they have been found at the first
examination to be quite healthy and are making steady progress, they
are not sent in again to see the doctor until the period of teething or
weaning. Children who lose, or fail to gain, or appear to be unsatisfactory
in any way, are medically examined as frequently as may be
necessary, and the mother is advised according to the findings of the
doctor. As the child gets older, fortnightly or monthly attendances are
the rule, and after 18 months, attendance is not encouraged more than
once in three months. The frequency of attendances has to be limited
to a certain extent by the amount of accommodation and the time of the
staff, as overcrowding in the centres and too hurried consultations do
more harm than good.
4. The Treatment Centre held on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. has been
renamed the "Special Clinic," being in fact a centre where infants can
be seen by special appointment. The type of cases attending are:—
(a) Those which require extra time for more thorough
examination by the doctor, or in order that letters may be written,
forms filled in, etc., referring patients to family doctors, hospitals,
convalescent homes, etc.