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of mothers as to danger signals is another. Prevention of overcrowding of dirty air and of damp
houses will also reduce the incidence of Pneumonia. Incidence of Pneumonia in infancy has
decreased in recent years and there is a hope that it may disappear altogether in future.
Even where it has not been possible to prevent premature birth by adequate ante-natal care,
many premature babies can be salvaged. In England and Wales as a whole it is probable that more
could be done in this field In 1956 an enquiry into the facilities available for the care of
premature infants was carried out and Sir John Charles, Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry
of Health, comments on this as follows:-
"The survey revealed a wide variation in the facilities available
for the care of the premature infant in hospital and domiciliary
practice. Some hospitals do not use incubators, while incubator
provision in other hospitals is in excess of requirements. A wide
range of make of incubator, including locally constructed models,
is used. There are no breast milk bank facilities in three regional
hospital areas. The status of nursing staff engaged in the care of
premature infants in hospital ranges from fully-trained nurses to
nursing auxiliaries and nursing cadets. The shortage of nursing
staff with special training in the experiences is a serious problem
in hospital. Although many County Boroughs employ specially trained
full-time premature baby nurses. this is impracticable in county
areas. It is evident that to a very great extent the domiciliary
care of the premature infant is carried out by domiciliary midwives
or district nurse midwives as part of their ordinary duties.
The transport arrangements in some areas are unsatisfactory in
that the ambulances are not heated and heated carriers and oxygen
are not available ......... because of the high mortality of
transported infants a satisfactory ambulance service with personnel
skilled in First-Aid during transit is of special importance."
Edmonton's health experience is roughly similar to that of England and Wales as a whole.

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