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44
PART III.—SERVICES.
National Health Service Act, 1946.
Births.—In accordance with the provisions of the Public Health Act,
1936, all live births and stillbirths of seven months and over must be
notified to the Medical Officer of Health within 36 hours. The number of
live births notified under this Act during 1949 was 2,027 (1,030 males and
997 females). Of these, 140 (65 males and 75 females) took place in
Ilford, the ordinary place of residence of the parents being outside the
district.
In addition, 754 notifications of birth (385 males and 369 females)
which took place outside the district, although the ordinary residence of
the parents is in Ilford, were transferred to this district.
During the year, 4 cases in which there was default in complying with
the requirements of the Public Health Act relating to the Notification of
Births were referred to the Area Clerk.
The percentage of live births occurring in Ilford, notified by the various
responsible persons, was as follows: —
By Medical Practitioners .12
By Certified Midwives .98.63
By Parents and Others 1.25
In addition, 53 stillbirths (27 males and 26 females) were notified.
The notifications of 9 stillbirths (3 males and 6 females) which took
place outside the district, although the ordinary residence of the parents is
in Ilford, were transferred to this district.
Care of Premature Infants.—Of the 2,027 live births occurring in
Ilford during 1949, 87 weighed 5½ lbs. or less at birth; 19 of these babies
were born at home and 68 in Hospital (including 4 in Private Nursing
Homes).
The number of those born at home—
(i) who were nursed entirely at home18
(ii) who died during the first 24 hours —
(iii) who survived at the end of one month 19
The number of those born in Hospital—
(i) who died during the first 24 hours 11
(ii) who survived at the end of one month 55
Infant Mortality.—The number of infants dying within the first year
of life was 53, the total number born being 2,630. The latter figure is
supplied by the Registrar-General for calculating infant and maternal
mortality rates. The infant mortality, or rate of deaths per 1,000 live
births, was, therefore 20.1 the lowest figure ever recorded in Ilford.
Neonatal Mortality.—The death-rate of infants under four weeks of
age is known as the Neonatal Mortality. There were 33 deaths of infants
under four weeks of age during 1949 and the rate for the year was 12.5 per
1,000 live births.