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Preparation for admission to hospital—The divisional medical officers, the health visitors
and treatment organisers are closely concerned in the preparation of parents and children
for the latter's admission to hospital. They also keep the hospital staff informed of any
home conditions likely to affect the child while in hospital, or to influence the after-care
given after discharge. The voluntary care committee workers and the children's care
organisers in the Education and Public Health departments also play their part in the
preparation for the admission of school children to hospital and return home on discharge,
as well as in meeting after-care and special educational requirements.
Residential establishments for young children
Residential establishments under the direction of the Children's Committee are visited
regularly by the Council's medical officers. The care of the children suffering from physical
handicap or mental retardation, whether due to innate defect or emotional disturbance, is
carefully reviewed. A register is also kept and reviewed periodically by a medical officer so
that constructive plans for the future of these handicapped children can be made. New
problems are arising as a result of early diagnosis of congenital handicaps and children are
often moved into the county so that they may more easily obtain appropriate special
educational treatment.
Adoption and boarding out
Every child whom it is proposed to board out with a view to adoption is given a full
medical examination by his doctor and the Medical Officer of Health is asked for his
observations on the proposal.
The number of children referred by the Children's Officer is shown below; the increased
number of medical examinations for boarding out reflects increasing activity in boardingout
work in that department.
Observations of M.O.H., etc. 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960
1. Unsuitable for either adoption or boarding out .. 4 3 3 1 —
2. Adoption cases
Suitable for adoption 147 178 167 228 267
Suitable for adoption subject to certain conditions 7 8 2 1 2
Unsuitable for adoption but suitable for boarding out 15 7 17 5 21
Withdrawn by Children's Officer 1 8 3 2 1
Under consideration at 31 December 3 4 1 2 5
173 205 190 238 296
3. Boarding out cases:
Suitable for boarding out 324 310 320 290 447
Withdrawn by Children's Officer 2 7 3 3 6
Under consideration at 31 December — 5 1 3 7
326 322 324 296 460
Total 503 530 517 535 756
Care of the unmarried mother and her child
Mother and baby homes—One mother and baby home is managed by the Welfare Committee
together with two units in larger establishments. Other homes are provided by
voluntary organisations supported by grants in aid from the Council under the National
Health Service Act, 1946.
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