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37
larger than in the preceding year. As indicated later, however, the Minister of Health
was not able to sanction a number of schemes put forward by the Council and progress
with the short-term programme is likely to continue to be hampered by the increasing
financial stringency and by other demands upon the nation's resources.
Concurrently with the planning of buildings on sites which had already been
acquired, negotiations for the purchase of further sites proceeded in anticipation of
buildings being provided at a later date when conditions become more favourable.
The insecure tenure of many health service premises was noted in the report
for 1949. Difficulties were again experienced in maintaining services when such
buildings ceased to be available and as adequate replacements could not be provided.
In three cases as indicated below day nurseries which had to be closed could not be
immediatelv replaced.
Maternity and child welfare premises
The following day nurseries were relinquished :—
Division 1. Australia Road Day Nursery, Hammersmith.—This nursery was
closed on 31st January and demolished, as the site was required for the building of
a school which could not be postponed. Plans were advanced for the building of a
permanent replacement day nursery in Westway, Hammersmith, but work on this
nursery had not been started at the end of the year.
Closing of
clay nurseries
Division 3. The Brecknock Day Nursery, Islington.—This nursery in an old
requisitioned building had to be closed permanently as it developed serious settlements
and was regarded as dangerous. The considerable expenditure on underpinning,
which would have been necessary to render it fit for continued use, was not
considered justified. A replacement has not yet been found.
Clarke's Buildings Day Nursery, Holborn.—This nursery, which was held on a
short tenancy, had to be closed on 25th September, when the buildings were
demolished to make way for a large block of offices. A search for alternative premises
was still continuing at the end of the year.
The following premises were opened during the year to replace buildings which
were relinquished :—
Division 1. Mulgrave Day Nursery, Fulham.—Partially completed day nursery
buildings, where work had been stopped during the war, stood on a bombed site in
Mulgrave Road, Fulham. The site was purchased, the shell of the building acquired
from the Ministry of Health and the building completed. The new nursery was
opened on 10th July to replace another in St. Andrew's Vicarage, which was required
by the vicar.
Replacement
of day
nurseries and
clinics
Division 2. Ampthill Square Day Nursery.—Alternative accommodation for the
day nursery at 108, Hampstead Road, St. Pancras, had to be found as these premises
were required urgently by the National Temperance Hospital. Accommodation at
1, Ampthill Square, which had been in use for many years as a maternity and child
welfare centre, was made available after conversion works had been carried out, and
the nursery was transferred there on 11th September, although with a reduced
number of places. The maternity and child welfare centre continued to function in
another section of the building.
Division 3. East Islington Branch Welfare Centre.—This centre, in mission
premises, was transferred on 5th October to a more suitable building belonging to
the Highbury Quadrant Congregational Church.
Division 4. Upper Clapton Maternity and Child Welfare Centre.—This centre
was formerly at 2-4, Warwick Grove, in premises which were unsound structurally
and due for demolition in connection with a housing estate. Premises at 186, Upper
Clapton Road, which had been requisitioned for a day nursery staff hostel, were