View report page

104
The Borough Council in financially supporting this Hospital makes
a condition that certain members of the staff shall have special
training in Mothercraft, and as a result, there is now established a
Hospital in which the Nursing Staff is particularly well qualified to
deal with Deptford's ailing children.
The medical direction, so far as the in-patient children are concerned,
is in the very capable hands of the Board's Medical Officer, Dr. Proctor,
while those mothers and infants admitted on account of difficulties in
breast-feeding are the sole charge of the Borough Council's experienced
Maternity and Child Welfare Officer, Dr. Hill.
The care of out-patient infants at the breast-feeding clinic devolves
upon whichever of these two Officers refers the infant for treatment.
During 1933, the following cases were treated
47 children admitted, of which 21 were sent by the Borough
Council.
74 infants attended the Breast-feeding Clinic, of which all were
sent by the Borough Council.
9 mothers with infants admitted as in-patients for restoration
of Breast-feeding.
(b) St. Thomas' Babies' Hostel, Kennington.
Prior to the opening of the Depiford Babies' Hospital, mothers
and infants, where difficulty in breast-feeding was experienced, and
occasionally infants alone, were sent to this hostel. During 1933,
6 mothers with their infants and 1 infant without its mother were
referred for treatment.
" Test Feeds" were also conducted at the Town Hall and Harton
Street. During 1933, 255 "Test Feeds" were so undertaken.
10. Supply of Milk and Accessory Foods.
The Borough Council's scheme provides for the issue of fluid and
dried milk, at full cost, or free, or at half-cost, according to a Scale of
Necessity, to
(«) Expectant mothers during the last three months of pregnancy.
(b) Nursing mothers.
(c) Children up to three years, also, in exceptional circumstances
to children between three and five years of age.
The issue is in general accordance with the Minister of Health's
Circular No. 185.