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32
THE CARE OF ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN
Mitcham Moral Welfare Association was formed in March,
1946. Representatives of other interested local voluntary associations
were elected members of the Committee, and the Chairman
of the Public Health Committee, and the Chairman of the
Maternity and Child Welfare Committee were invited to join the
Committee.
The Borough Council made a grant of £100 per annum until
4.7.48 towards the cost of the salary of the part-time social
worker.
The association has done excellent work during the year, and
cases referred to hostels have had their cost of maintenance paid
by the Borough Council or the Divisional Sub-Committee in
each case.
The opening of the Haygarth Witts Home, The Ridgway,
Wimbledon, by the Merton and Wimbledon Moral Welfare
Association appears to have solved the difficulty previously
experienced in obtaining suitable hostel accommodation.
Care of Premature Infants
Forty (67) infants were notified as weighing lbs. or less
at birth during the year. Five (11) occurred at home confinements,
and of this number 1 (3) were removed to hospital, where
1 (1) died when one week old, (1) died on the second day of birth
and (1) died within one hour of birth.
Of the 35 (56) infants born in hospital (1) died when two
weeks old, 2 (5) died within a week of birth and (1) died within
24 hours of birth.
Premature infants born at home may be removed to hospital
if necessary. A specially heated incubator is available for removing
cases by ambulance to hospital.
For cases remaining in their own homes special draught-proof
cots heated by hot water bottles, blankets, clothes, special feeding
bottles, etc., may be borrowed free of cost at the request
of the doctor or midwife in charge of the case.
Home helps are available when necessary.