View report page

Supply of Sheets for Expectant Mothers—In accordance with circular
154/44 of the Ministry of Health of the 3rd November, 1944, amended by
circular 25/1947 of February, 1947, women holding R.B.2 expectant mother's
ration books were eligible to purchase sheets on coupon equivalent certificates
if the midwife or maternity nurse booked for the case certified that her
patient was genuinely in need of additional sheets at the time of the
confinement. The issue of the certificates ceased on the 14th March.
During 1949 279 certificates were issued to 96 expectant mothers.
Maternal Mortality.—During 1949 2 deaths of Ilford mothers were
recorded by the Registrar-General as due to or in consequcnce of childbirth.
Domestic Help Service.—During 1949 there was a considerable
increase in the demand for this service, and it was necessary to increase
the number of Domestic Helps employed. At the end of the year there
were 150 part-time domestic helps on the register and an establishment of
60 full-time and 120 part-time domestic helps had been approved. Early
in 1950, 27 of the part-time helps were appointed to full-time posts.
A full-time Organiser controls the service under the general direction
of the Area Medical Officer.
The following is a summary of the cases dealt with in 1949: —
Number of applications received for assistance 1,484
Number of cases where Domestic Helps were provided
(including 149 who were having service at the
commencement of the year) 808
Number of cases which on investigation were either not
eligible for assistance or did not require the service 382
Number of cases referred to other sources, e.g., W.V.S.
I.S.S.C. "Help-all" 141
Cases booked but subsequently cancelled 153
Number of cases where, at the end of the year, a domestic
help was booked to attend in future months (maternity
cases) 87
Other cases awaiting help at end of year 39
Enquiries incomplete at end of year 23
Convalescent Facilities.—The following tables show the number
of persons sent away for convalescence during 1949, and the number of
cases in which the Invalid Children's Aid Association arranged the placing
of children in suitable convalescent homes.
(a) Under Section 22 of the National Health Service Act.—i.e.,
nursing mothers and young children.