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Premature babies delivered at home. The case is graded according to
the baby's requirements. More frequent visits and a special nurse, if
necessary, special clothing, hot water bottles and breast milk (when
available) are loaned out. Special cots are not provided. Supervision
of the infant is continued for as long as required.
Infant Welfare Centres
In nine centres doctors and health visitors with special qualifications
in child health attend to give advice to mothers of healthy infants on
normal development and progress. Regular weighing and physical
examination brings to light the smallest deviations from normal growth
and well-being, and these deviations are investigated with the mother
so that they can be remedied.
In the early months of life advice on feeding is frequently sought,
particularly for infants who are artificially fed and those who have
reached the weaning age.
This service does much to ensure the growth of a healthy child and
is a means of educating mothers on the proper care of their children.
Sessions are also held at which the health visitor alone is in attendance
and where time can be given to test-feeding, etc.
These clinics have a vital part in promoting child health. Attendances
have been well maintained during the year and the first attendances of
children under one year of age represent 87 per cent. of the notified
live births. All children, especially new babies, are followed-up by
health visitors home visits.
The inter-relationship of infant welfare clinics and home visiting are
obvious as is also the fact that with the present staff of health visitors
it would be impossible to supervise the health of so many children by
visiting only.
Toddlers Clinics
Toddlers clinics are now held at all nine centres. This is an increase
of one over 1951.
Appointments are made for a six monthly or more frequent medical
overhaul for those children who do not receive medical examination
at other clinics or at day nurseries, nursery schools or classes.
Appointments are welcomed by parents. The purpose of these examinations
is to detect and correct mental or physical defects and maintain
the good health of children in the 2-5 years age group so that they are
in good condition before attendance at school.
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