View report page

15
measures in so far as questions of staffing and accommodation will
permit.
The following are the main recommendations:—
(1) Ascertainment: The provision of separate space upon the
notification of birth cards so that information may be received when
the weight at birth is 5½1bs. or less. For this purpose any child of
that weight will be deemed to be premature.
(2) Home Treatment:
(a) Adequate and suitable equipment, including if necessary
certain special devices used in feeding, clothing and protecting the
infant, and in generating warmth.
(b) The provision, where necessary, of a supply of expressed
breast milk.
(c) The provision of a consultant .paediatrician.
(d) The employment upon the case of midwives and health
visitors who have had special experience in the rearing of premature
infants.
(e) The provision of a Home Help.
(3) Institutional Treatment: The establishment in certain institutions
of "Premature-Infant Units" conforming to special standards
of construction, heating and humidity, and staffed both by a resident
paediatrician and by specialist nurses in adequate numbers.
(4) Transport: Means of warmed transport such as an ambulance
or car containing a heated basket or other carrier together with
apparatus for the giving of oxygen.
The position in Richmond upon the 31st December, 1944 was
that action had been taken fully under heading (1) and in part also
under headings (2) and (4).
In the light of the information available for the year under
review, the following table represents the situation with regard to
Premature Infants in the Borough.