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Recuperative Holidays.
Holidays are provided, on medical recommendation, for adults and young
children who have received recent medical treatment, and where the emphasis is on
rest, fresh air, and good food but regular medical and nursing attention is not required.
Most cases are sent to hotels and boarding houses on the south and southeast
coasts. In the period 1st April, 1965 to 31st December, 1965, 98 adults (physical
and mental illnesses) and two nursing mothers availed themselves of the service.
There has been a steady reduction in the demand for the service. One reason
is that doctors seldom refer young children, especially under two years, for recuperative
holidays: but the main reason would appear to be that so many can now afford
to pay for private accommodation.
The risk of infection among babies has caused difficulty in finding suitable
placements but the use of private houses has been helpful. This and other accommodation
was inspected by a visiting medical officer of the L.C.C. prior to 1st April,
1965 and various arrangements were considered with a view to this practice being
continued in co-operation with other London Boroughs.
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