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The dietaries of inmates, other than the sick, of institutions are prescribed by
the Council on the advice of the medical officer of health, under Article 35 of the
Public Assistance Order ; and, as the application of institutional dietaries is mainly
the concern of the chief officer of public assistance, reference to the subject in this
report is limited to a general statement.
Provisional standardised dietaries have been in operation during the past
twelve to eighteen months in public health and public assistance institutions. They
were reviewed in 1934, and, with certain modifications, were finally adopted by the
Council and introduced in all public health and public assistance institutions on 1st
January, 1935. In framing these dietaries, due regard was paid to the recommendations
of the Ministry of Health's Advisory Committee on Nutrition as regards the daily
food requirements of able bodied persons.
Judging from reports which have been received, it is apparent that the new
dietaries have been welcomed by the inmates and have, on the whole, conduced to
a greater measure of contentment in the institutions.
Hours of rising, retiring and meals of inmates.
In view of the variations which existed in the times of rising, retiring and of
meals of inmates at the several public health institutions consideration has been
given to the introduction of a uniform time table. It has accordingly been decided
that the hours of rising and of going to bed and the hours of meals of inmates, other
than inmates of sick wards, mental wards and nurseries, in institutions under the
management of the Hospitals and Medical Services Committee shall be as follows,
provided that aged and infirm inmates shall be allowed to go to bed in the evening
before the prescribed times :—
Rising 7 a.m.
Breakfast 7.45 a.m.
Dinner Noon.
Tea 5 p.m.
Supper At such times as the
institution committee
may prescribe.
Retiring 9 p.m.
Subject to any directions given by the medical officer of the institution, the
time table prescribed is also applied to the sick wards and mental wards at institutions
under the management of the Committee, provided that the institution
committees shall be empowered to make such minor modifications in the time
table as may be found advisable, and that it shall be referred to the institution committees
to fix the hours of the lunch and supper meals in sick wards and mental wards.
Boarded-out cases.
Certain selected cases requiring convalescent treatment were sent to homes
at the seaside maintained by voluntary agencies. The arrangements for the
valescence of mothers with their infants were continued at St. Mary's home, Dover.
During the year the average number of beds occupied at voluntary convalescent
homes was 13.
Convalescence.
During the year, 18 patients suffering from rheumatic diseases were sent for
spa treatment to St. John's brine bath hospital, Droitwich, and the Royal mineral
water hospital, Bath.
Spa
treatment.
Patients requiring convalescence for the treatment of neurasthenia and other
nervous diseases referred from the psychiatric clinics established at St. Charles'
hospital, St. Mary, Islington, hospital, Mile End hospital, and the Maudsley hospital,
and, also, on the recommendation of other consultants, were sent to the Lady
Chichester hospital and homes of the Mental After-Care Association with satisfactory
results. During the year 17 patients were sent to the Lady Chichester hospital and
97 to mental after-care homes.
Neurasthenia.
At the end of 1933, 19 patients, who might be regarded as incurable, remained
in homes managed by voluntary agencies. During 1934, a few patients were sent
Incurables.