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ADOPTIONS 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. 73 adoption and boarding-out reports were examined and reports on
68 prospective parents were scrutinised during the year.
BLIND AND PARTIALLY SIGHTED PERSONS
148 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 78. This certification
facilitates the provision of the Council's welfare services.
RECUPERATIVE HOLIDAYS
These 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 or 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 five years, not attending
school. Children of school age are dealt with under arrangements provided by
the I.L.E.A.
A weekly charge is made for adults, according to their financial circumstances, and
there is a small charge for children under five not attending school.
The number arranged during 1969 was as follows:—

DAY CARE OF CHILDREN
Health Department Day Nurseries
There was a heavy demand for places in the three day nurseries which were fully
occupied with priority class children throughout the year. Full day care is essential
in some parts of the Borough, primarily to provide help for the mother who has to
go out to work. The Early Care Unit at the Shaftesbury House Day Nursery
(15 mentally subnormal children under the age of 5 years) continued to provide
a valuable service. Selection of suitable staff for the exacting work in this unit is
extremely important.
The following table shows the number of admissions and discharges for the
three day nurseries during the year:—