View report page

11
Mode of Notification.—Notice is to be given by posting a
prepaid letter or postcard addressed to the Medical Officer of
Health, or by delivering a written notice at his office or residence,
giving the necessary information of the birth within 36 hours after
the birth.
Letter cards enclosed.—Stamped addressed postcards containing
the form of notice are to be supplied free of charge by the local
authority to any Medical Practitioner or Midwife residing or
practising in their area, who applies for the same.
Penalty Clause.—Any person who fails to give notice of a
birth as required by the Act is liable on summary conviction to a
penalty not exceeding Twenty Shillings. No penalty, however, is
incurred if the person satisfies the court that he had reasonable
grounds to believe that nctice had been duly given by some other
person.
Still as well as Live Births to be notified.—Section 1
further provides that the notification shall apply to any child which
has issued forth from its mother after the expiration of the twentyeighth
week of pregnancy, whether alive or dead.
Registration as well as Notification necessary.—It is to
be noted that the notification to be made under this Act is in addition
to and not in substitution for the requirements of any Act relating
to the registration of Births.
The provisions of the Act, apart from those given above, are of
little importance, so far as the Medical Practitioner and the Midwife
are concerned.
A supply of stamped addressed letter cards is enclosed for your
use in your midwifery practice, and I shall be obliged if you will
arrange, in any case you are attending, for one to be handed for
transmission, when filled up, to the Medical Officer of Health, by
the person responsible for notification. In the absence of any
other person you yourself will, of course, be responsible for sending
in the notification within the time stated.
Any assistance rendered by you in this or any other way in
carrying out the provisions of this most important Act, will be
greatly appreciated by the Borough Council. Additional stamped
addressed letter cards will be supplied on application to the Medical
Officer of Health.
Yours faithfully,
CHARLES PORTER,
Medical Officer of Health.