View report page

123
There are remarkable geographical variations in the incidence
of certain major defects of the central nervous system in the
British Isles and advances in knowledge of the causation of these
conditions might change the genetic outlook for parents of affected
children, hence a comparison is to be made of figures for South
East England with those for Ireland and for South Wales.
British Births Survey
During the week of April 5th, 1970, and under the joint auspices
of the National Birthday Trust Fund and the Royal College of
Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, a survey took place, in which
information was sought about pregnancy and childbirth with the
object of assisting the safety of future mothers and babies.
Midwives throughout the country were asked to complete long
and comprehensive questionnaires on each live and still birth
attended after the 24th week of pregnancy such information including
the care of mother and baby for the first seven days after the
birth.
This study will undoubtedly reveal new areas for improvement
in the present maternity services and health education of mothers.
Day Nurseries
There are children known to Health Visitors and Social Workers
who would benefit medically and socially from attendance at a
Day Nursery, e.g. deaf children, children of deaf parents, certain
physically and mentally handicapped children and those from
deprived homes whose stimulation from their own family circle is
inadequate. Many of these are children of parents who are unable
to pay for the service and our sponsorship scheme in respect of
these needy children in the Day Nurseries was further extended
during the current year.
Quarterly reports requested from the Supervisors of the Nurseries
receiving these children indicated that, in all cases where a child
attended regularly, there was a marked improvement in its developmental
progress matched often by a similar improvement in
the parental attitude towards the child and other members of the
family.
Mentally handicapped children under 5 years of age continued
to receive pre-school training at Eltham Creche and the work of
the creche was aided by the participation of Borough medical
and social worker staff. Unfortunately, responsibility for this
service was programmed to pass to Education Departments
throughout the country in April 1971.