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Mothers and Children
During 1965, 3,938 living and 61 still born babies were born to Waltham Forest parents.
At the time of birth 43 were found to have congenital abnormalities, 17 of these were severe and
either the child was still born or died within a few weeks of birth. Of the remainder most were of
a mild nature but six of the children will be severely and permanently handicapped.
Some years ago it was realised that the great majority of children with handicaps not
apparent at birth (e.g. deafness, slight spasticity or mental retardation) have a history of abnormalities
at the time of birth or during the early months of life. "At Risk" registers were started for
children where such factors occurred. Special supervision and screening of children enables the
diagnosis and any possible treatment of any abnormalities at a very early age. 764 babies born
in 1965 were added to the register and regular screening has been carried out.
Of the new babies 2,790 attended the Infant Welfare Clinics. Infant Welfare Clinics have
been held regularly at the 13 centres throughout the Borough. All have been attended well.
Immunisation and special diagnostic sessions have been carried out at regular intervals.
In four clinics development play sessions have been fully used. Toddlers who are in
danger of becoming disturbed or who are already disturbed attend for therapeutic play once or twice
a week. This has proved an excellent arrangement and children starting school after such sessions
have settled in surprisingly well.
All five Day Nurseries have experienced considerable staffing problems due to the staff
marrying or leaving the district. In spite of this all have continued to admit as many children as
vacancies allowed and maintained their high standard of care. All have extremely long waiting
lists and only children in the priority groups are being admitted.
More handicapped children,both mental and physical,are being admitted and these provide
more problems than normal healthy children. Their numbers therefore have to be limited. One
child who has been helped specially by attendance at a Day Nursery is a child severely affected
by thalidomide. She is being helped considerably by staff and other children to make as much use
of her faculties as possible. By being with normal children handicapped children develop more
quickly and it gives added relief to mothers who have extra work with their care.
25 students sat their Nursery Nurses Examination in July, 23 were successful.
G.Richards
Senior Medical Officer-Child Care
Midwifery and Home Nursing
The Midwifery Service and the training of pupil midwives proceeded as usual. There was
an increase in the number of babies born at home and in the number of patients cared for by the
midwives under the early Hospital discharge scheme.
Some difficulty was experienced in securing an adequate number of midwives for the service
but every effort was made to maintain a high standard of work.
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