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sister-in-charge, two staff nurses, four resident V.A.D. probationers, and
daily V.A.D. assistants. Mrs. Wilson Fitzgerald is the V.A.D. Commandant.
There are fourteen cots in four wards.
The Home is intended for cases of malnutrition, wasting, and other
enfeebling diseases in infants and young children, who are in need of
institutional treatment, but are not accepted by children's hospitals,
or in ordinary children's wards. Moribund cases, infectious cases, cases
of acute illness, or of acute diarrhoea and vomiting are not admitted to
the Home.
Sixty-five cases in all were admitted during the first year. Fifty
of the children were infants under one year, and 15 slightly older children.
Of the total 65 cases, 36, or 55 per centl were Chelsea residents, and 29,
or 45 per cent., were residents of other districts.
The conditions for which the children were admitted may be summarised
as follows :—Marasmus or Wasting, 39; Bickets, 7; Aftereffects
of Bronchitis and Broncho-pneumonia, 5; other illnesses, 14.
As the result of treatment of these 65 cases, 16 were discharged "improved"
or "satisfactory"; 16 were transferred on discharge to
convalescent homes or other institutions; 10 were only a few days in
the Home; 11 died; and 12 remained in the Home. Six of the fatal
cases were only in the Home for a short period—three weeks or under.
Chelsea Branch of the Invalid Children's Aid Association.
During 1920 the Tuberculosis Care Committee referred to the Chelsea
Branch of I.C.A.A. 102 cases needing convalescence or care. Of this
number 70 received convalescent treatment in the country or at the
sea-side, the length of treatment varying from one to six months. At
the request of the Tuberculosis Care Committee the Chelsea Branch
visited 21 cases of children, treated under the London County Council
Tuberculosis scheme, to collect and forward to the Council the parents'
contributions.
The Milk (Mothers' and Children's) Orders, 1918, 1919.
During the year 1920 the number of applications for milk, including
renewals, granted by the Sub-Committee, were as follows:—1st quarter,
546; 2nd quarter, 626; 3rd quarter, 497; 4th quarter, 671; total for
year, 2,340. The approximate total cost for the year was £1,515, namely,
1st quarter, £372; 2nd, £359; 3rd, £299; 4th, £485. In 1919 the total
sum expended was £342. The Borough Council will receive a grant from
the Ministry of Health of half the cost incurred.
The grants were usually made for cows' milk to be supplied by
dairymen at less than current retail price, but in some cases the grants
were made for milk free of cost to the applicants. Milk is not supplied
free of charge or under cost price to families when the income exceeds
(after deducting, from the total income, rent and insurance payments),
the following standard, viz. :—
lis. per head per week for families of five or less ;
10s. 6d. per head per week for every additional member
over five.