View report page

30
The inception of the Assisted Daily Minder scheme has made it
possible for a few selected mentally and physically handicapped children
to be admitted to both Day Nurseries. This has been rewarding to both
children and staff. Applications for recognition as Assisted Child Minders
under the scheme are carefully considered by the specialist health
visitor responsible for its running. Fire hazards must be minimal and a
chest x-ray which is repeated yearly or three yearly according to age is
compulsory. Regular inspections are carried out.
A feature of the year has been the rapid expansion of private playgroups
for children between 2½ and 5 years old. The children attending
are not those whose mothers are working, but in the main are those who
would normally have little contact with others of their own age. In some
cases the mothers themselves help to run these groups. The specialist
health visitor advises on the suitability of the premises, furniture and
play material and assures herself of the competency and qualifications
of the person responsible for the running of the group - and keeps in
touch with all groups by periodic visiting.
All services have done their best to solve the problems of the
Commonwealth families resident in the Borough. The rate of entry has
slowed down considerably, but whereas until a year or so ago it was
mainly English speaking people who were coming in, it is now families
from India and Pakistan who are settling in Croydon. Whilst the male
members have some English, the women are usually unable to communicate
except in their own language. This presents a problem as far as
advising is concerned, but with goodwill on both sides it can be overcome.
It would seem that where a baby or sick person is concerned
there is a common language - even if one is Urdu and the other English!
Whatever other differences there are in culture every mother wishes to
do the best for her family. Unfortunately other problems affecting these
citizens are not so easily solved, but the members of the nursing team
do their best to help by referral to other Corporation Departments most
closely concerned.
Throughout the year the work of each service has gone quietly on.
As far as possible everything has been done to ensure the birth of
healthy babies, who will, because of the advice given by medical officers,
midwives and health visitors, have happy lives before, during and after
school age. In times of illness the district nurse has done everything
to keep the patient whether young or old in his or her own home realising
that in the majority of cases skilled domiciliary nursing care does away
with the necessity for hospitalization. Members of each service have
carried out their duties conscientiously in spite of the continual frustration
of too much being undertaken by too few. The results of their efforts
can be seen in the Tables in the Appendix.