[Report 1945] / Medical Officer of Health, Durham County Palatine / County Council.

  • Durham (England : County). Council.
Date:
1945
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1945] / Medical Officer of Health, Durham County Palatine / County Council. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    35/92 (page 31)
    Prevention of Deaf ness.this arrangement 21 children were examined and treated compared with 38 in 1944. Orthopaedic Treatment.—Four children had assistance towards the cost of appliances, which is the same number as in 1944. County Federation of Voluntary Workers.—Two meetings were held in the Shire Hall, Durham. Twenty-five mothers had treatment under the convalescent scheme organised by this Federation. War-time Nurseries.—Four nurseries were closed during the year leaving a total of 13 still in use at the end of the year. Specialist Clinics.—Arrangements were made during the year for the establishment of specialist consultation clinics at Houghton-le- Spring and Horden Welfare centres. These clinics were opened on the 5th and 19th December, respectively, and are held monthly at each centre. Care of Illegitimate Children.—During the year the Durham Diocesan Moral Welfare Association held a meeting with representa- tives of other boroughs and voluntary associations when general approval was given to the project of setting up a mother and baby hostel and a small committee was appointed to take practical steps. At the end of the year, however, suitable premises had not been obtained. CARE OF PREMATURE INFANTS. The year 1945 is the first complete ^'•ear for which records regarding prematurely born infants are available. The total number of infants recorded as weighing 5^-lbs.or less at birth during the year in the welfare area of the County Council was 502, and of this number 372 were born at home and 130 in hospital. The total live births registered in this area was 13,479, the premature birth notifications being equal to 3.7 per cent. During the year 183 deaths of prematurely born babies were registered, 152 under one week, 22 under one month, 7 under three months, 1 under six months and 1 under nine months. In 53 cases, death occurred in hospital. In accordance with the recommendations of the Ministry of Health the County Council provides special cots, hot water bottles, woollen shawls, blankets and clothing, while cotton wool, olive oil and belcroy feeders are also supplied. Where a premature birch occurs in the practice of a midwife she devotes a considerable amount of her time to it and attends as long as is necessary. In .some cases it has been necessary to continue attendance up to six weeks. No premature babies born at home have been admitted to special hospital units. EMERGENCY MATERNITY SERVICE. Arrangements continued unchanged throughout the year. The ‘flying-squad’ was requisitioned on 6 occasions and the services of consultants were obtained in respect of 12 patients.