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89
Convalescent Home Treatment.
(a) The Mayoress of St. Panchas Home for Sick Poor Children,—This is situated
at "Avalon,"1, St. Alban's Road, and accommodates 18 children and the necessary staff,
The age limit for admission is from 18 months to 5 years.
The children are either convalescent after illness, or are weak, badly nourished, etc.,
and require good food, fresh air, and special care.
A large garden is attached to the home and an outdoor playroom has been provided
by the St. Pancras Branch of the Dickens Fellowship.
The staff consists of a Matron, Assistant Matron, three Probationers and a domestic staff
numbering three. A laundry, equipped with electrically-driven machinery, is also attached
to the home.
162 children were admitted during the year, and the average length of stay in the Home
was 27 days.
(b) Children requiring a longer period of convalescence, or who require more skilled
nursing, are sent to various homes by the Invalid Children's Aid Association, and a contribution
towards the cost is made by the Borough Council. Under this scheme 36 children were sent
away during the year.
Infant Life Protection—Children Acis, 1908—1932.
The duties under the above Acts were transferred to the Borough Council on April 1st,
1933. The following statement as to the duties and the recommendations of the Public
Health Committee in connection with carrying out the work were approved by the Council:—
"The duties comprise the supervision of the health and well-being of all children
who are under the care of foster mothers until such children reach the age of nine years.
A register of foster mothers must be kept with a list of children under their care, .and the
Local Authority may fix a maximum number of nurse-infants who may be kept in any
dwelling. Records must also be kept with regard to removals, deaths, offences against the
Act, etc. When premises are registered for the first time, a report should be obtained as
regards suitability and sanitary condition. We consider it advisable that the District
Sanitary Inspectors shall inspect and report on the condition of the homes for registration
purposes, for the clerical staff of the Public Health Department to keep the necessary
records, and for the Health Visitors at the various Welfare Centres to carry out the duties
of inspecting and supervising the homes, the health and well-being of the children, to give
any necessary advice, and report contraventions of the Act.
"Arrangements can be made for the extra work involved by the operation of the
Order to be carried out without addition to the staff of the Public Health Department."
Supply of Milk to Mothers and Children.
The Borough Council during the year continued to make grants of milk, either free or
at reduced price. As a rule, in the case of expectant mothers, the grants were restricted to
the last three months of pregnancy, and in the case of children to those who were under three
years of age.