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*2. The South-Eastern Hospital for Children. This was situated
just outside the Borough, but took a great many cases from the
northern part of the area.
*3. Heartease Hospital, Woodland Way, West Wickham. This
was provided by the Invalid Children's Aid Association.
(d) Homeless Children.
There are several voluntary institutions in the district
which provide excellent care for orphans and homeless children.
(e) Homes for the Aged.
The County Council remains responsible for the care of
old people, but it is extremely difficult to obtain accommodation
in homes for the aged.
The S.O.S. Society opened a Hostel for old people at 75,
Bromley road, Beckenham, in 1944, and this has met a real
need. The Beckenham Old People's Committee has helped
in many ways to provide extra comforts and furnishings for
the occupants of this Hostel.
(f) Private Nursing Homes.
Most of the premises used for this purpose were damaged
by bombing and had to be closed. At the end of 1948 there
were 6 private homes registered in the Borough and these
provided a total of 81 beds.
These premises were inspected under the Nursing Homes
(Registration) Act, and 11 visits were made to the premises
by the Assistant Medical Officer of Health.
(g) Nursing Arrangements.
Professional Nursing in the Home.
(a) Midwifery. The County Council remains the supervising
authority under the National Health Service Act, 1946.
(b) General. For all general Nursing in the Home, the services
of the Queens Nurses are available. This service was organised
by the Beckenham and Shortlands District Nursing Association
and the West Wickham and Hayes District Nursing
Association.
These Associations employed 5 Nurses. A small fee
was payable according to the circumstances of the patient,
or families could join as Annual Contributors. The number
of visits made annually by these Nurses was about 10,000
and every type of case was undertaken with skill and kindness.
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