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Special equipment was purchased by the Borough Council for loan to those
homes where a premature infant was born and where inadequate facilities were
available for nursing the infant at home, during the first few weeks and where
removal to hospital was not recommended. This equipment was not used during
1945.
ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN:
The Special Visitor allocated for this work in accordance with Ministry
of Health Circular 2866(Revised) and referred to in last year's annual report,
continued to do excellent work in assisting and advising unmarried mothers in
difficulties in co-operation with Moral Welfare Works, Hospital Almoners, etc.
Enquiries, visits, and follow-up work in respect of 232 children was carried out
by the Special Health Visitor during the year.
HOME HELPS:
During 1945 175 cases were attended by Home Helps under the Borough
Council's Scheme, at a total cost to the Borough of £1070. 19s.10d. At the end
of 1945 there were 2 continuously employed whole-time Home Helps and 6 women on
a panel for intermittent work.
In March 1945, in accordance with Ministry of Health Circular 179/44, the
Borough Council started a subsidiary scheme of Domestic Helps for assistance in
households where there are aged and infirm people and where no other form of
household help could be obtained. Under this scheme the borough employed 1
whole-time continuously engaged Domestic Help, and also tried to build up a
panel of women.
The two schemes, Home Help and Domestic Help, although kept separately
so far as accounts are concerned, were run concurrently and in this way it was
possible to assist 17 Domestic Help cases at a cost of £163.1s.3d, reclaimable
from the Ministry of Health.
EMERGENCY OBSTETRIC UNIT:
This service was called out four times, during 1945. In each case
the patient made a good recovery.
PRIORITY DOCKETS FOR SHEETS FOR expectant MOTHERS:
The Maternity & Child Welfare Office, at the request of the Ministry of
Health on behalf of the Board of Trade, continued to issue dockets on a certificate
from a certified Midwife to enable expectant mothers being confined at home to
obtain priority in the purchase of utility sheets from retailers. During 1945
1 ,944 dockets were issued to 745 mothers.
ADDITIONAL MATERNITY BED SCHEME:
This scheme initiated in 1944 by the London County Council in
co-operation with the Metropolitan Boroughs was continued during 1945. The
Islington Borough Council under this Scheme, was allocated 4 beds per month
( total of 8 cases) at the Royal Northern Hospital and 6 beds per month(total
of 12 cases) at the Mothers' Hospital, Clapton, the booking of these beds being
arranged through the Medical Officer of Health.
During 1945, 79 bookings had been arranged at the Royal Northern
Hospital and 58 bookings at the Mothers' Hospital.
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