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16. RECUPERATIVE HOLIDAYS
This service is provided under Section 28 of the National Health Service Act, 1946,
for the benefit of people who have had a recent illness and who their doctor considers
to be in need of a recuperative holiday before resuming their normal occupations.
They must be fit to travel and not in need of medical or nursing care. Arrangements
are made for patients to stay at a home chosen either from one approved by a local
authority outside the Greater London area or one in the King Edward's Hospital
Fund directory.
The initial holiday period is for two weeks but in some cases an extension of one
or two weeks is granted if the doctor attending the home recommends this as being
beneficial to the patient. The homes must be run by state registered nurses and a
doctor is required to be available in the event of emergencies.
The cost of the service to the patient is £5 15s. a week, but the recipient is assessed
according to income if he feels unable to pay this amount.
The Council provides transport to and from main line stations if this is
recommended by the general practitioner.
The figures detailed below give the number of patients for whom arrangements
were made during the year:—
Number of applications received 119
Number of patients sent on recuperative holiday 94
Number of patients who were not able to avail themselves
of vacancy offered 22
Number of applications not approved 3
39