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25
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 pediatrician whose services are available for consultant
visits in the home where premature infants are being nurtured. His
services were not called upon during the half year, the reason being that
all these infants were born in hospital. This has generally been the case
since 1944.
Other recommendations of the Minister have been observed.
Of the 12 premature births notified in Westminster up to 4th July,
1948, all were born in hospital. All 12 survived the first 24 hours of life,
but one died before reaching the age of one month. This child died in
hospital.
(These figures do not include infants born to Westminster mothers
outside the City. The Ministry of Health requires these to be returned
by the local authority in whose area the birth took place.)
Care of Illegitimate Children.
The Council's Health Visitors and Child Protection Visitor continued
to work in close association with the voluntary organisations in the City
in the welfare of illegitimate children.
The Council had a scheme of augmented payments to foster mothers
who were prepared to undertake the care and maintenance of illegitimate
children in the City. Payment for this service was increased from 21s. per
week to 30s. per week. When this service was transferred to the London
County Council one foster mother was enrolled under this scheme.
A number of illegitimate children were also cared for in the Council's
Day Nurseries enabling the natural mother to go out to work during the
day and have the care of her child at night and during week ends.
Child Life Protection.
The Council was responsible for the supervision of children under
nine years of age whose care and maintenance was undertaken for reward
by persons other than their natural parents. This work was carried out
by a whole-time Child Protection Visitor who paid regular visits to the
homes where the foster children resided.
Number of foster mothers at 4th July, 1948 10
Number of foster mothers who relinquished the care of
children during the half-year 9
Number of children in the care of foster mothers at the
4th July, 1948 17
Number of children in the care of foster mothers during
the half-year 19
Number of children returned to their natural parents in
Westminster from foster mothers in other areas 42