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to them. Those on low incomes are assisted in acquiring the aid
of both voluntary and statutory organisations for grants and
supplements if these are considered necessary to the family's
well being. In some instances help is given with budgeting and
for the less adequate or more vulnerable, rent and court order
instalments are collected at the time when the family actually
have the money to hand - in many cases with the ultimate aim of
transferring the full responsibility back to the family when they
have reached a more satisfactory equilibrium.
The aim of the family caseworker is to help the family
as a whole to make a better personal, family and social adjustment.
Whilst assuming for them responsibilities beyond their capacity,
the worker encourages them to make choices and decisions of which
they are capable, holding them to the necessity to meet social
obligations.
The shortage of social workers in the Health and Welfare
Department has meant that even greater assistance than in the
previous year has been called upon from other statutory and
voluntary organisations and the co-operation received has been
most generous.
PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL WORK TRAINING
Social work training described in last year's report
was continued during 1966.
MIDWIFERY SERVICE
Mothers confined at home were cared for by 7 full time
midwives, 5 other full time staff who devoted part of their time to
home nursing, and 5 part time maternity nurses. These staff were
supervised by a non-medical supervisor and deputy, both of whom
combined their posts with supervisory posts in the home nursing service.
These domiciliary midwives attended the births of 343 babies
born to Kingston residents, and cared for a further 422 mothers who
were discharged from hospitals within ten days after confinement.
They summoned medical aid in 123 cases.
During the year 1706 births to Kingston residents took
place in institutions, so that the domiciliary midwives dealt with
24.1% of all births occurring.