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13
(viii) The Care of Premature Children.
With reference to Ministry of Health Circular 20/44, the
"Notification of Birth" cards in current use do not provide a space
for the weight at birth, when this is 5½ lbs. or less, but, on receipt
of the Circular, all practitioners and midwives were asked to supply
this information on the cards. Arrangements have been made for a
space to be provided on the new notification cards, and these have
now been received.
To enable adequate and suitable equipment to be provided in
the home, an order has been placed for 2 draught proof cots, with
detachable linings, warm and suitable clothing, hot water bottles,
special feeding bottles, etc., and when these are delivered, they will
be despatched to the homes of premature infants, on the request of
a doctor or midwife.
When it is necessary for a premature infant to be removed to
Hospital an ambulance will be available with a supply of oxygen,
and a heated carrier, and a nurse will be in attendance.
It has not yet been possible to obtain the services of a paediatrician,
but I have been in communication with the County Medical
Officer, who informs me that the Essex County Council have
approved in principle to the engagement of a part-time Consultant,
with a consultative clinic at Oldchurch County Hospital, Romford,
and when this Consultant is appointed consideration will be given
to our utilising his services.
(ix) War-Time Nurseries.
During the first half of the year the demand for admissions to
the 3 Nurseries exceeded the number of places, and waiting lists
were established. When, however, Romford was declared an
"Evacuation" Area many children were evacuated, and this resulted
in a dropping off of the attendances at the Nurseries', and the necessity
to maintain a waiting list did not arise. Later, the demand for
admissions again increased, and, at the end of the year, the numbers
in attendance had almost reached the figures earlier in the year.
The requests from Romford mothers for the admission of their
children to the Rush Green Nursery has not been sufficient to fill
the Nursery, and, in consequence, it has been possible to admit a
number of children whose residence is in neighbouring districts.