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6
CARE OF PREMATURE INFANTS
The Ministry of Health issued a Circular in March, 1944, on the subject
of the care of premature infants and the problem of neo-natal mortality. The
Minister suggested that a weight at birth of 5½ lbs. or less should be recorded
on the notification of birth cards. This was put into operation in the City.
The City Council in accordance with the Minister's recommendation also
appointed a paediatrician whose services are available for consultant visits in
the homo where premature infants are being nurtured. His service wore not
called upon during the year. Other recommendations of the Minister have been
carried out.
There wore 43 premature infants bora in the City during 1945, all but
3 of whom were born in hospital, 7 however failed to survive and died in hospital,
CAPE OF ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN
A joint Committee of representatives of the Metropolitan Borough Councils,
the London County Council and voluntary organisations set up to consider this
important question for the London area have continued to give the matter their
close attention.
The voluntary organisations who have dealt with this problem for so
many years, were able to improve their services with the aid of increased financial
assistance from the Metropolitan Boroughs. The City Council's contribution, based
on rateable value, being £972.
The Council's Health Visitors have continued to work in close association
with the voluntary organisations for the welfare of illegitimate children.
In addition the City Council has made, provision for a scheme of guaranteed
payments to foster mothers undertaking the care and maintenance of illegitimate
children.
CHILD LIFE PROTECTION
There were 15 women on the Council's register of foster mothers at the
end of the year. Those foster mothers and the children in their care are regularly
visited by the Council's Health Visitors.
This subject is necessarily much bound up with the care of illegitimate
children. Foster mothers suitable in all respects are difficult to find. The
scheme of guaranteed payments will it is hoped ensure that the fifteen foster
mothers will not be out of pocket in the care of the child. The City Council
consider that the duties concerned in the welfare of children lacking the care of
its own parents are so important that a Child Protection Visitor should be
appointed to give her whole time to this and related problems.
SUPPLY OP SHEETS FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS
By arrangement between the Ministry of Health and the Board of Trade,
Priority Dockets for utility sheets, on production of a medical certificate, are
issued to expectant mothers who are to be confined in their own homes. These are
being issued through the Maternity and Child Welfare Centres and 344 dockets were
issued to expectant mothers in 1945.
SUPPLY OF FOOD ACCESSORIES
By arrangement with the Ministry of Food, national dried milk, fruit juices,
vitamin tablets and cod liver oil have been distributed to expectant mothers and
children at the Maternity and Child Welfare Centres in the City.