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49
PART III.—SERVICES.
National Health Service Act, 1946.
Births.—In accordance with the provisions of the Public Health Act,
1936, all live births and stillbirths of seven months and over must be
notified to the Medical Officer of Health within 36 hours. The number of
live births notified under this Act during 1948 was 2,246 (1,181 males and
1,065 females). Of these, 177 (99 males and 78 females) took place in
Ilford, the ordinary place of residence of the parents being outside the
district.
In addition, 782 notifications of birth (395 males and 387 females)
which took place outside the district, although the ordinary residence of
the parents is in Ilford, were transferred to this district.
During the year, 8 cases in which there was default in complying with
the requirements of the Public Health Act relating to the Notification of
Births were referred to the Town Clerk.
The percentage of live births occurring in Ilford, notified by the various
responsible persons, was as follows: —
By Medical Practitioners .71
By Certified Midwives 96.93
By Parents and Others 2.36
In addition, 59 stillbirths (31 males and 28 females) were notified.
The notifications of 11 stillbirths (7 males and 4 females) which took
place outside the district, although the ordinary residence of the parents is
in Ilford, were transferred to this district.
Care of Premature Infants.—Of the 2,246 live births occurring in
Ilford during 1948, 103 weighed 5½ lbs, or less at birth; 37 of these babies
were born at home and 66 in Hospital (including 9 in Private Nursing
Homes).
The number of those born at home—
(i) who were nursed entirely at home 36
(ii) who died during the first 24 hours 7
(iii) who survived at the end of one month 27
The number of those born in Hospital—
(i) who died during the first 24 hours 6
(ii) who survived at the end of one month 59
Owing to existing conditions it has not been possible to implement any
of the following recommendations made by the Ministry of Health in their
Circular No. 20/44, dated 22nd March, 1944:—
(a) Provision of suitable equipment in the home.
(b) Supply of expressed breast milk where this is necessary.
(c) Giving of particular attention to babies by Midwives or Health
Visitors, preferably with special training and experience with
premature infants.
(d) Services of Domestic Help specifically for this type of case.
(e) Admission of selected cases to Institutions where special care is
appropriate to such cases.
(/) Special form of transport for the conveyance of infants to
Hospital.