View report page

Child Life Protection.— The following is a summary of the
work carried out in this connection during 1946:—
Number of registered Foster Mothers 18
Number of Foster Children on register during the year 19
Number of Foster Children at end of year 11
Number of visits paid by Health Visitors 82
No unsatisfactory conditions were met with throughout the
year.
Maternity Outfits.— Sterilized maternity outfits were supplied
to expectant mothers during 1946, as follows:—
25 were supplied free of charge.
26 were supplied at one-sixth full charge.
26 were supplied at one-third full charge.
19 were supplied at one-half full charge.
6 were supplied at two-thirds full charge.
5 were supplied at five-sixths full charge.
38 were supplied at cost price.
Totals: 1946, 145; 1945, 99.
Care of Illegitimate Children (Circular 2866).— The Council
continues to participate in the scheme operated by the Middlesex
County Council in conjunction with the British Red Cross Society
for the care of unmarried mothers and their babies at the Society's
hostels at "Maryland" and 16, The Park, Hendon. Four cases were
dealt with during 1946.
Care of Premature Infants (Circular 2044).— The draughtproof
cots purchased by the Borough Council in 1944 for use in the
care of premature babies proved to be of considerable value during
the year 1946. Cots were loaned to nursing homes for the benefit of
two premature infants, and to three mothers in their own homes.
One of these was a case of premature twins.
During the year, 46 premature infants were notified, of whom
43 survived at the end of one month, as compared with 30 and 24
respectively in 1945. The provision of this special equipment for
the care of premature infants would appear to have made a small but
none the less important contribution to the improved rate of survival.
Home Help Scheme.— The following are details of the work
carried out under the above scheme during 1946:
32