View report page

ADOPTION AND BOARDING-OUT
Before a child is placed for adoption or boarding-out a medical report is obtained
by the Council's Children's Officer. The report is usually made by a general practitioner,
visiting medical officer of a residential nursery or a hospital doctor. Although
these medical reports meet the statutory requirements it is the Council's practice for
such reports to be submitted to the Medical Officer of Health before a child is adopted
or boarded-out. The medical certificates in respect of the prospective adopting parents
are scrutinised before the children are placed with them. 61 adoption and boardingout
reports were examined and reports on 38 prospective parents were scrutinised
during 1966.
BOARDING-OUT OF CONTACTS OF TUBERCULOSIS
The Medical Officer of Health arranges, on the recommendation of Chest Physicians,
for the boarding-out of children who would be exposed to infection from tuberculosis
in their own homes, or whose parents are receiving residential treatment for tuberculosis.
Boarding-out is also arranged for children who have been B.C.G. vaccinated
and who should not be in contact with persons infected by tuberculosis until the
protection given by such vaccination is fully developed.
Number of children boarded-out 11
BLIND AND PARTIALLY SIGHTED PERSONS
During the year 212 examinations were arranged in connection with certification under
the National Assistance Act, 1948, of blind and partially sighted persons. In addition,
certificates accepted from other local authorities and hospitals numbered 34.
This certification facilitates the provision of the council's welfare services for the blind
and partially sighted.
RECUPERATIVE HOLIDAYS
Recuperative holidays are provided on medical recommendation for persons who have
recently been under medical treatment and who need rest, fresh air and good food.
Persons in need of supervision, medical and nursing care require convalescence
which is the responsibility of the appropriate Hospital Board. Arrangements are
made for adults, expectant mothers and nursing mothers, and children under 5 years
not attending school. Recommendations for recuperative holidays for children of
school age are referred to the Inner London Education Authority.
A weekly charge is made for adults according to their financial circumstances
and there is a small charge for children under 5 not attending school.
Recuperative holidays arranged during 1966 were as follows:—

AT RISK AND HANDICAP REGISTER
The future Observation Register
Registers are kept of those children who are considered to be at risk of developing
physical or mental defects, and those who have a handicap.
The "At Risk" Register enables supervision to be maintained of those children
who, by reason of abnormal circumstances occurring before, during or after birth,
are in danger of developing a handicap. Periodic examination by clinic doctors of
21