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The ladies of the W.V.S. continued to organize the sales and distribution
of the Welfare Foods, previously administered by the Ministry
of National Insurance.
Infant Welfare Services. Infant Welfare clinics and general supervisory
control through health visiting were continued by the Surrey
County Council during the year. In general, a high standard of visiting
and a smooth and efficient service were maintained.
No changes were made during the year in the operation of the four
infant welfare centres, and the number of attendances recorded was
comparable with those of previous years.
Number Total
attending attendances
Children under 1 year 326 4,971
Children, 1-5 years 777 3,205
Total attendances 1,103 8,176
Health Visiting. Four health visitors are employed by the Surrey
County Council for the supervision of infants up to 5 years of age and
expectant and nursing mothers, both at home and at the infant welfare
and ante-natal clinics. These health visitors are also responsible for the
supervision of children attending schools in the Borough.
Visits during the year were made as follows:
First Total
visits visits
Expectant Mothers 283 525
Children, 0-1 year 407 2,109
Children, 1-5 years — 3,497
Other Cases — 37
Ineffectual — 820
690 6,988
Child Life Protection. This function is now governed by the Children
Act, 1948, which came into operation on the 5th July, 1948. A Children's
Officer is appointed by the Surrey County Council to supervise all children
coming within the provisions of the Act. The health visitors, however,
visit on behalf of the Children's Officer deprived children under 5 years
of age and certain other children in registered residential establishments.
It is anticipated, however, that new legislation to be introduced early in
1959, will make necessary a revision of this system of visiting.
Care of Premature Infants. The arrangements made for the care of
premature infants continued during 1958. Equipment is kept at the
District Nurses' Home, the headquarters of the local Midwives, where
it is ready for immediate use when required. Twenty premature live
births were notified during the year, 16 of which occurred in hospital.
One of the infants died within 24 hours of birth The remaining 19
children survived.
19