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Home Visiting.
The information provided by the notification of the Births Act
marks the starting point of a system of supervision both at the
Infant Welfare Centre and in the home until the child reaches
school age, except in cases where the home conditions are considered
to be above visiting standard.
The first visit by the Health Visitor is paid as soon as possible
after ten days from the birth has elapsed, and periodical visits are
made for the purpose of guiding mothers in the care and management
of their infants. The number of visits paid and the degree of
instruction necessary varies in individual cases, but in the main
the number depends upon the age of the child, the home conditions,
and whether the child is brought regularly to the Infant Welfare
Centre.
Children under 1 year, those not attending an Infant Welfare
Centre, and others where indifferent home conditions prevail
are naturally visited more frequently than infants whose environmental
circumstances do not call for the same measure of supervision.
Post-Natal Supervision.
Careful inquiry as to the state of a mother's health after her
confinement is made by the Health Visitor at her first visit following
the notification of birth. Mothers found to be suffering from
continual backache, prolapse, phlebitis, debility, urinary or intestinal
troubles, are referred to their own doctor, a general hospital, or to
the Medical Officer at the Infant Welfare Centre for the district.
During the year 609 mothers were thus advised by health
visitors to seek medical attention.
Medical examination of patients before discharge is adopted as
a routine measure at most hospitals, a practice which, in my
opinion, should be followed by the professional attendant in every
case of confinement, so that early treatment could be given in cases
of impairment of health resulting from childbirth.
Pre-School Child.
A large number of mothers find it difficult or do not appreciate
the necessity of bringing their children over 1 year of age to the
Infant Welfare Centres.
It is no easy task to persuade mothers to accept advice as to the
importance of periodical medical supervision during the period of
growth and development of the child in order to ensure the early
detection of signs of departure from the normal.
Special medical sessions for " toddlers " are held at three
Infant Welfare Centres in the Borough and at other Centres mothers
are encouraged to bring the older children to the ordinary Infant
Medical Sessions.