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women. In addition, arrangements are made through either the Chelmsford
Diocesan (Church of England) Home, Local Moral Welfare Workers or the Salvation
Army to house those who cannot stay at home after the 32nd week, in
which case special arrangements are made for their continued ante-natal
care and hospital delivery. Rehabilitation and after-care (in conjunction
with the Children's Officer) is scrupulously followed up.
Child We If are o Regular clinics for Child Welfare are held at four
clinics as above. These include special clinics for infants and 'toddlers,
the latter by six-monthly appointments system. There are no separate con.
sultant clinics unless children are referred to the specialist clinics outlined
in paragraph (3) and children are referred to the Council's physiotherapy,
dental and sunlight clinics as necessary.
Care of Premature Infants. Domiciliary Provision - A comprehensive
scheme exists for the home care of premature infants including loan of equipment
and scales, screens and fully equipped special cots.There is an
arrangement with local hospitals for the reception of premature babies on
request, and special arrangements with our ambulance service for transport.
(Ambulance service depot holds special premature baby cot for transport)
Supply of Dried Milks. etc. Arrangements for distribution of Ministry
of Food welfare foods, etc. already referred to under paragraph (4). Other
dried milks and nutrients advised by the medical staff are available at all
the Council's clinics at special prices plus a small percentage for overheads,,
Dental Care. Already referred to under paragraph (5). Priority is
given to the dental care of expectant and nursing mothers and their young
children.
(i) Special appointment are given at three dental clinics.
(ii) X-rays are available.
(iii) Consultant anaesthetist is available for extraction.
(iv) Oral hygienlst given treatment and advice.
(v) Full dentures are provided when necessary.
(vi) Emergency treatment always given.
Other Provisions. Home Help Service and Day Nursery Service
brought into the picture whenever necessary.
6. Domiciliary Midwifery.
General Arrangements for the Service. Area divided Into four districts- one to each midwife. Midwives work in pairs for relief purposes. Cases
are allocated from the booking clinic. The number of midwives has been
decreased from six to four with the fall in bookings.
Arrangements for medical and non-medical supervision and extent of
supervision of midwives not employed in the authority's domiciliary service.
The Superintendent Nursing Officer acts as non-medical supervisor supervising
and inspecting work. equipment and records, investigating cases of
ophthalmia neonatorum, puerperal pyrexia, still-births, etc. Midwives not
in direct employ of the authority are visited quarterly for inspection of
records, equipment, also for discussion of special cases, technique and the
service in general. The Superintendent Nursing Officer is on call by
telephone for advice and direction in all cases of difficulty, contact with
infection, emergency out of office hours.
Administration of analgesics by midwives. All Midwives are qualified
to administer gas and air analgesia, and this is given to all cases requesting
its use, where the necessary conditions have been fulfilled and a
doctor's certificate is available. Pethidine is being used with very good
effect in a fairly large proportion of cases.