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Towards the end of the year all women known to be daily minding were circularised and
made aware of new legislation requiring them to register with the local health authority.
The Personal Health Committee decided at their meeting in December 1968 to discontinue
payment of registration fees to voluntarily registered child minders as from 1st February
1969.
STATISTICS AS AT 31.12.68
PLAYGROUPS
There were 15 part-time playgroups in the Borough run by voluntary organisations and
private persons, providing accommodation for approximately 300 children between 2-5 years.
Three were grant-aided by the Council for the service provided. All these playgroups are
visited regularly by health visitors. These have not been statutorily registered under the
1948 Act but consideration will now be given to their registration under the amended Act.
NURSERIES
There were 3 registered private day nurseries in Islington providing places for 64
children. One is run by the Islington Society for Mentally Handicapped Children; one is
attached to a hostel for unmarried mothers and admits only children of the residents; the
third has allocated 20 of its 30 places to the Council and children are admitted from the
Council's priority waiting list for day nurseries.
STATUTORILY REGISTERED CHILD MINDERS - 16 providing 97 places.
VOLUNTARILY REGISTERED CHILD MINDERS - 41 providing 64 places.
DOMICILIARY MIDWIFERY
The trend for hospital confinements continued during 1968 resulting in an increase of
planned and unplanned early discharges. The decline in the birth rate made it easier for
patients to book for hospital confinement.
In addition to the 325 home confinements 80 other patients were booked for domiciliary
confinement but subsequently transferred before delivery to the hospital service:-
58 due to complications of pregnancy
9 in premature labour
13 in labour at term
There were 8 calls for the services of the emergency obstetric unit. The planned early
discharge scheme from hospital resulted in 563 assessments of home conditions being made
125 homes were found to be unsuitable. 497 patients were nursed at home following hospital
delivery. This number includes unplanned early discharges.
GROUP ATTACHMENT OF A DOMICILIARY MIDWIFE
In February 1968 a domiciliary midwife was attached to a group of three doctors. From
this date until December 1968 there were 38 domiciliary confinements and 10 planned early
discharges. The midwife attached to the group shared off-duty relief with two colleagues.
MATERNAL DEATHS
Confidential enquiries in accordance with the Department of Health and Social Security
instructions were initiated into the deaths of 5 women who had been Islington residents; in
no case was the Council's staff concerned in the care or treatment given.
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