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3
Domiciliary Midwifery
There was a further large drop in the number of babies born at
home, and the number of early discharges of mothers and babies from
hospital continued to increase. Under the Health Services and Public
Health Act 1968 it is possible for domiciliary midwives to work in
hospitals, and during the year discussions were held about closer
integration of the service with the hospitals.
The Guthrie test replaced the Phenistix test for phenylketonuria.
This is a more reliable blood test than the urine test and is carried out
by the midwives on about the sixth day.
Two new houses and four new flats for nursing staff in Chamberlain
Way, at the rear of Surbiton District Nurses Home, were completed and
occupied during the year.
Day Nurseries and Nurseries and Child Minders
As envisaged in last year's report there was a big increase in
the number of registered child minders, as registration is now required
when one child is looked after for reward. There was also an increase in
the number of private day nurseries. A further course was held to train
persons without qualifications who are engaged in or wish to run private
nurseries or participate in child minding.
The two Council day nurseries continued on demand by priority
groups and each has a substantial waiting list.
The prefabricated Fairmead Day Nursery is approaching the end of
its useful life, and it is hoped to replace it by building a new nursery
in the Alpha Road area on land already owned by the Council, probably in
1971/72.
Mental Health
There were staffing shortages in the section during 1969 and this
was reflected in the case load, but the situation improved towards the end
of the year.
The extension to the Training Centre for Mentally Subnormals
reported last year which enables children to be admitted from the age of
three years has paid dividends. The improvement these young children make
when admitted early is quite amazing.