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PREMATURE BABIES
Any child weighing 5½ lbs. (2.500 grammes) or less when born is regarded as
premature, and necessary advice and assistance is afforded to mothers with premature
babies.
Statistics relating to premature births occurring during the year will be found
on page 95.
PREVENTION OF BREAK-UP OF FAMILIES
A Co-Ordinating Committee comprising officers of the Children's Health and
Welfare Departments of the Council, of the Education Welfare Service of the Inner
London Education Authority, and of the Greater London Council Housing Welfare
Section, together with fieldworkers from various agencies both statutory and voluntary,
meets frequently, with the object of ensuring that the most effective use is made of
existing resources provided by statutory and voluntary services and available for the
welfare of children in their own homes.
The Health Department is represented on this Committee by the Principal Social
Worker (Health Services) who also acts as Convenor to the Committee.
A high proportion of the Committee's time is taken up wi th the problem of preventing
homelessness caused by, rent arrears. A total of 46 cases was considered during the
year with 17 individual case conferences being held. Of these conferences nine concerned
families at risk through rent arrears.
Sixteen specially difficult families were dealt with during the year by a family
case worker who was employed in the department until July.
RECUPERATIVE HOLIDAYS
Recuperative holidays for mothers and young children are provided under
Section 22 of the National Health Service Act 1946 and for the prevention of illness
care and after-care of other persons under Section 28 of the Act. Medical recommendations
for holidays are submitted by general practitioners, hospitals, health visitors and
social workers in respect of persons who are recovering from a recent acute physical
or mental illness and who do not need nursing care.
A total of 404 adults and children were placed in recuperative holiday homes
during the year, including 205 school children for whom the Inner London Education
Authority made arrangements.
One Inner London Borough is responsible for the inspection of holiday homes on
behalf of other boroughs included in the scheme which share the costs involved.
During the year reports were received of 50 homes inspected 44 of which were recommended
for continued use.
(Statistics on page 97).
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