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14
The Committee appointed a Home Help Organiser to supervise this
service, which increased considerably during the year, and at the end of
1947 there were 21 full-time and 11 part-time helps. Home Helps
are provided with overalls and are paid at the rate of 2s. per hour. The
applicant is assessed to pay in accordance with the approved scale, the
maximum hourly charge being 2s. 6d.
During the year, 257 Maternity cases and 312 Domestic cases have
been assisted.
Convalescent Homes for Children under Five Years.
Arrangements are made through the Invalid Children's Aid Associa¬tion
for children under five years of age to be sent to Convalescent
Homes, on the special recommendations of the Doctors at the Welfare
Centres.
During 1947, 32 Hampstead children were sent away through this
service.
Unfortunately, particularly during the summer months, the demand
greatly exceeds the vacancies available, with the consequence that
children may have to wait for at least a month.
The Borough Council contributes £10 per year to the Invalid Children's
Aid Association in respect of this service.
Consulting Obstetricians.
During 1947 no call was made on the services of a Consultant under
the Borough Council Scheme.
Supply of Milk and Food.
Under the Borough Council Scheme, 20,358 packets of Proprietary
Brand Dried Milk were sold at full cost. Other food and medicaments
to total value of £634 were also sold.
Supply of Vitamins, etc.
By arrangement with the local Ministry of Food Office, fruit juices,
etc., have been distributed at the Welfare Centres and Ante-natal
Clinics.
Priority Utility Sheet Dockets for Expectant Mothers.
Board of Trade Priority Utility Sheet Dockets are issued, by this
Department to expectant mothers, on receipt of a signed certificate from
a midwife stating that the patients are in need of sheets for home
confinement. A maximum of 3 Dockets can be issued to each expectant
mother.
During 1947, 172 applications were received and 498 Dockets issued,
as compared with 542 Dockets issued to 197 applicants in 1946.
Child Life Protection.
During the year, 278 visits were paid by health visitors to fostermothers
and foster-children in the Borough. On the 31st December,
1947, the number of foster-mothers on the register was 7 and the number
of foster-children was 11. In addition the Eagle's Nest Foster Home,
33, Fitzjohns Avenue, can accommodate 28 children up to three years of
age.
Care of Premature Infants—Ministry of Health Circular 20/44.
Arrangements have been made for the weight of each newly-born
child to be entered on the birth notification, so that early contact can