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NEW INFANT WELFARE CLINIC
In order to meet the convenience of the increasing number of mothers in the
North—Eastern area, the City Council established, by arrangements. with the
Holborn Borough Council, a weekly infant Welfare Clinic in the London Medical
Mission, Short's Gardens, W.C.2. on the 21st February, 1946
The Clinic has been hold regularly each week and has proved very
acceptable to mothers living in the North-Eastern district
CARE OF PREMATURE INFANTS
The Ministry of Health issued a Circular in March 1944- the subject of
the care of premature infant, and the problem of neo-natal mortality. The
Minister suggested that a weight at birth of 5½.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 recomndatin also
appointed a paediatrician. whose service are available for consultant visits in
the home where premature infant's are being nurtured his services were not
called upon during the year. Other recommendations of the Minister have been
observed.
Of the 68 premature births notified in Westminster, 9 were born at home
and 59 in hospital. Of these 4 failed to survive the first 24 hours of life,
and another 5 died before reaching the ago of. one month. These nine children
died in hospital.
(These figures do not include infante born to Westminster mothers
outside the City. The Ministry of Health require these to be returned by the
local authority in whose area the birth took place).
CARS OF ILLEGITIMATE CHILDERN
The voluntary organisations who have for so many years dealt with this
problem have continued their, work and have worked in close association with the
Council's Health Visitors and Child Protection Visitor, The City Council in
co-operation with the other London Boroughs makes an annual contribution,
based on rateable value, to those voluntary organisations, the Council's
contribution for 1946 being £972..
During the year the Council adopted a scheme of guaranteed payments to
foster mothers who would be prepared to undertake the care and maintenance of
illegitimate ch.ild.rcn in the City. Under this scheme the Council pays the
foster mother 21s. Of-. per week :i.n respect of each child and recovers reasonable
contributions from the natural mother. The latter is also required to provide
clothing for her child and pay for any necessary doctors' fees for attendance
on the child.
It has lot however been possible to -put this scheme into operation during
the year owing to the lack of suitable, fester mothers: willing to undertake this
service.
CHILD LIFE PROTECTION
The City Council gave careful consideration to the recommendations
contained in the Report of the Care of Children Committee (Curtis Report
CMD 6922), and to a joint Circular issued by the Homo Office and the Ministries
of Health and Education, requesting authorities to review their responsibilities
for children referred to in the Report. The Council, as a Welfare Authority,
is responsible for one group of children referred to in that report; namely
children under nine; years of age, maintained dor reward by persons other than
their natural parents or guardians. Where such arrangements are made between the
natural parents and the foster mother, the latter has to notify the Council of her
intention to undertake- for reward the care of a. foster child, and the Council
then assumes certain statutory responsibilities concerning the home and the
child.
The Council had in fact reviewed their arrangments with regard to the