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57
Notification of Births
The Notification of Births Act, 1915, amended on 1.10.37
by the Public Health Act, 1936, requires that all births be notified
to the Medical Officer of Health with 36 hours of their occurrence.
All cases notified are visited by the Health Visitor as soon
as possible after the doctor or midwife has ceased to attend.
Advice is given with regard to the care, management, feeding and
clothing of the child, and also the general health and care of the
mother.
Thereafter, periodic visits are made to the homes of infants
during the first two years of life, and, as far as possible, at wider
intervals during the next three years, up to the time when the
child comes under the observation of the School Medical Service.
The visits made by the Health Visitors during 1937 were
16,001.
Visits to infants under one year of age 6731
Visits to children over one year of age 8084
Visits to tonsils and adenoid cases 53
Visits to ante-natal cases, first visits 547
Visits to ante-natal cases, revisits 73
Visits to foster mothers 122
Special visits not included in the above group 391
16001
The work of the health visitors in the Homes of the
Borough.
The work of the Health Visitors includes the following:—
1. Visiting homes under the Notification of Births Act
(Public Health Act, 1936).
2. Home visiting of children up to five years of age.
3. Home visiting of pre-school children in regard to defect.
4. Home visiting of foster children and reports on home
ditions.
5. Visiting home helps before and whilst engaged in duties.
6. Home visiting in connection with Ante-Natal Clinics and
expectant mothers.
7. Ante-natal and Post-natal Clinics for expectant mothers.
8. Infant Welfare Clinics for children up to five years of age.