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49
An outbreak of infective enteritis occurred among the children
in the Guest House in September, ten children in all being attacked,
of whom 3 died. The source of infection could not be traced with
certainty, and, on investigation, the precautions adopted in the
Guest House appeared adequate. Admissions to the Guest House
were suspended for a period ; the worst cases were removed to
Hospital and bacteriological examinations were carried out to
ascertain whether the infection was due to the presence of a "carrier"
but with negative results.
An annual grant of £500 is made by the Council in accordance
with the requirements of the Scheme made by the Ministry of
Health (vide page 22).
The Health Committee drew the attention of the Nursery
Committee to the long hours of duty of the probationer nurses
during their training, and in considering the amount of the annual
grant the Council expressed their willingness to continue the existing
grant of £500 subject to the Nursery Committee undertaking to
reduce the hours of work on lines indicated by the Committee.
After some correspondence the Nursery Committee agreed to
comply with the Committee's request.
In their circular letter No. 1550, which is referred to in more
detail on page 50, the Minister of Health drew attention to the
necessity in many areas for the provision of day nursery accommodation.
The Ministry were informed that the Committee were giving
this matter their consideration, and no further action had been
taken by the end of the year.
A temporary creche, organised by the Society of Day Nurseries,
was, for a second year, held in Battersea Park during the month of
August and part of September. Young children were admitted at
a nominal charge, and play pens, &c., provided. A matron, with
voluntary helpers, was responsible for the arrangements.
Invalid Children's Aid Association.
The Battersea Branch of this Association has since 1929 been
granted, rent-free, the use of a room at Southlands as an office. The
Council have also made an annual grant of £40, which upon a request
made by the Association was increased in March, 1936, to £50.
The Chairman of the Health Committee (Mrs. A. A. Burton)
was appointed to represent the Council upon the Committee of the
Association.
I am indebted to the Secretary of the Battersea Branch for the
following report on the work of the Branch during 1936 :—
The Invalid Children's Aid Association is a voluntary organisation
which works in close co-operation with local authorities and other bodies.
The work of the Battersea I.C.A.A. includes the provision of convalescent
home treatment, the provision and maintenance of surgical appliances
and the visiting of children in their own homes at the request of hospitals,
school care committees, &c.