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6
Care of Premature Infants (i.e., infants weighing 5½ lbs. or less at birth)—
Ministry of Health Circular 20/44.
This Circular makes certain suggestions for the care of premature
infants, in view of the important bearing of this matter on the problem
of neo-natal mortality. A number of these suggestions cannot be dealt
with adequately at the present time, but are being borne in mind in
considering possible future developments of the maternity and child
welfare services.
Arrangements have been made for the weight of each newly-born
child to be entered on the birth notification, so that early contact can
be made between the Health Visitor and the mothers of premature babies
born at home. Close liaison is also maintained with Hospitals, so that
Health Visitors can follow up as soon as a premature infant is discharged
to its own home.
In addition, the equipment already used by the District Nursing
Associations for the nursing of premature infants born at home has
been supplemented by certain items provided by the Borough Council
and loaned to the Associations, i.e.,—rubber hot-water bottles, special
feeding bottles, mucus catheters, etc.).
Domestic Helps—Ministry of Health Circular 179/44.
This Circular deals with (i) the provision by the Borough Council of
domestic helps to be available at any time to households where such
help is urgently required owing to sickness or infirmity; (ii) the question
of payment to domestic helps; and (iii) the assessment and recovery of
the cost from households.
The Council agreed that there is a need for such a service in the
Borough, and in order to achieve uniformity of action throughout London
regarding assessment and recovery of cost the Metropolitan Boroughs'
Standing Joint Committee are considering a uniform scale of assessment
to be recommended for use by the Metropolitan Boroughs. The question
of rates of pay is before the Joint Industrial Council.
Contact has already been made with the local branch of the Ministry
of Labour, and although there is a very great shortage of suitable women
able to undertake this work, every effort will be made by the Ministry of
Labour to co-operate with us in making the scheme workable.
SANITARY ADMINISTRATION.
One Sanitary Inspector returned to duty after being discharged on
health grounds from H.M. Navy.
The recurrence of enemy air activity in the early part of the year,
followed by the attacks by flying-bombs and long-range rockets from
June onwards, seriously affected the normal work of sanitary inspection.
The services of the Sanitary Inspectors were very much in demand
in connection with post-raid activities and they rendered invaluable
assistance in the many problems arising. Rehousing, furniture salvage,
food salvage, the mortuary service—to name only a few—took up a
great deal of their time.