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Prematurity.
Previous reports have indicated the necessity of research into
the possibility of saving the premature child. On receipt of
Ministry of Health Circular No. 174/44, certain services have
been provided, together with equipment on loan, to assist in the
medical and nursing care of such infants. The following arrangements
are available:—
(1) Equipment on Loan: Special cots, with mattress and
blankets, cot thermometer, hot-water bottles (rubber), special
feeding-bottles and teats. With the kind co-operation of the
District Nursing Associations, this equipment is kept available
at the headquarters of the Wembley District Nursing Association
and of the Kingsbury District Nursing Association.
(2) Pædiatrician: A paediatrician may be called in by the
medical attendant, the Borough Council paying the fee. The
medical attendant may desire consultation with a consultant
paediatrician (for example, a paediatrician on the staff of one of
the London voluntary hospitals), or it may be possible, depending
on the circumstances at the hospital at the time, for the
Medical Director, Central Middlesex County Hospital, Acton Lane,
N.W. 10, to arrange for that hospital's pædiatrician to answer
such a call.
(3) A Supply of Expressed Breast Milk may be most valuable
in such cases, but in the present circumstances it has been impossible
to arrange a definite scheme. There is sometimes, however,
a small supply of expressed breast milk at the Middlesex
County Council's Maternity Units at Redhill and Central Middlesex
County Hospitals, and the Medical Directors at these hospitals
are ready to assist as far as is in their power. The Medical
Attendant, therefore, may apply to the Medical Directors at
these hospitals.
(4) Home Helps: On request to the Public Health Department,
endeavour is made to provide a Home Help. The Borough
Council recover a proportion of the Help's wage, according to the
family's economic circumstances. It is to be realised, however,
that this service is very difficult to provide at the present time,
especially in an urgent emergency.
(5) While, of course, the doctor in attendance will
decide whether domiciliary or hospital supervision is appropriate,
with regard to hospitalisation the Circular lays
appropriate emphasis on the necessity of careful conveyance
to hospital, with a nurse in attendance, particular attention being
paid to the maintenance of heat on the journey (hot-water bottles
for basket or other carrier). The Borough ambulances are all
provided with a heating device, and written instructions for it3
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