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CHILD LIFE PROTECTION.
The Health Visitors are the authorised Child Life Protection Visitors
for the Borough.
Number of persons who were receiving children for
reward at the end of the year 9
Number of children on the register at the end of the
year 39
Number of children who died during the year
During the year 199 visits were paid.
No proceedings were taken under the Act.
ADOPTION OF CHILDREN (REGULATION) ACT, 1939.
The Court did not.call upon the Corporation to act as guardians
ad litem for any cases during the year. By the introduction of the
Children Act, 1948, on the 5th July, and the appointment of Children's
Officers and the transfer of the statutory obligations previously borne by
the Council to the local health authority, the Surrey County Council, it
is anticipated that considerable changes will be made in the present
arrangements for the supervision of children awaiting adoption.
THE CARE OF PREMATURE INFANTS.
The arrangements made for the care of premature infants were
continued during 1948. All equipment is kept at the District Nursing
Association, the headquarters of the local midwives, where it is ready
for immediate use when required. Of the 25 premature births, 20
occurred in institutions and only 5 cases were recorded in the practice
of the domiciliary midwives. Twenty-three of the cases responded
successfully to routine treatment. The remaining 2 infants died within
24 hours.
THE CARE OF ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN.
Arrangements for the care of illegitimate children, described in
previous reports, were continued throughout 1948. An annual grant is
made to the Sutton and District Girls' Aid Association, whose visitor
follows up the cases occurring in the Borough.
Ladies of the Women's Voluntary Services and Health Visitors
continue to co-operate in the alleviation of the lot of these unfortunate
mothers.
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA
WATER SUPPLIES.
The water supply is piped throughout the district from the Sutton
District Water Company. All dwelling-houses in the area are connected
to public water mains. None of the inhabitants rely upon stand pipes.
During the year the supply has been satisfactory both in quality and
quantity.
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