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7.
DUTIES OF THE HOME HELP.
1. On being summoned to a case to notify the Public Health Departrnent as soon
as possible of her commencement of duty.
2. To commence duty on the instruction of the Midwife and to attend each day
thereafter for a period of 14 days (this period may be varied in
accordance with the directions of the Medical Officer of Health).
generally
3. The Home Help to be/responsible for the domestic arrangements of the
household between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
on Sundays.
4. To do the washing, cooking and such general duties as the mother would
normally do, this to include the removal and washing of soiled linen
from the patient's room.
5. Not to interfere with the work of the Doctor or Midwife.
6. To attend punctually each day and not to leave without giving due notice.
7. To obey the instructions of the Midwife with regard to the Mother and baby.
8. To report immediately to the Midwife any contact with infectious disease.
9. To notify the Midwife if for any reason she is unable to continue her
duties.
10. The Home Help must provide her own meals."
The Home Help scheme has been of the utmost value to women in their
confinement. Difficulties have, of course, arisen in obtaining the right type
of woman for this work,in view of the competing claims of other forms of employment.
It is probable that the future development of this service will be by the appointment
of a number of women,in a full time capacity»who can be used in any part of the distric
and in other activities of the Department during the waiting period between cases.
CHILD LIFE PROTECTION.
The Scheme for the supervision of foster children and foster mothers continue.
The numbers of applications for foster mothers, however, far exceeded the supply, because
of the many other forms of employment now open to women.
WARTIME DAY MURSERIES.
In order to give effect to the recommendations contained in a joint Circular
of the Ministry of Health and the Board of Education, asking Authorities to provide
facilities for the care of children under five years of age, to permit of the mothers
entering essential war industries, a special Committee was appointed by the Council.
Surveys were made in various parts of the district in order to ascertain the need for
the establishment of these nurseries# various properties likely to be suitable for
adaptation were then inspected and suitable sites selected for the erection of prefabricated
huts. The demand was such, however, that it soon became evident that
further Nurseries would be required and accommodation at existing nurseries increased.