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Recommendations.
That 2 Assistant Matrons be appointed, one at each Clinic, at an annual salary of £160 plus
£40 War Bonus plus uniform.
That 8 Home Nurses be appointed, four to each Clinic at an annual salary of £120—£150 by
£10 annual increments plus £40 War Bonus plus uniform.
That the necessary nurses' Bags, Contents and Requisites be obtained at a Cost not exceeding
£200.
That the foregoing Scheme be submitted to the Local Government Board for approval so
that Grant may be obtainable.
GEORGE F. BUCHAN,
Medical Officer of Health.
APPENDIX H.
20th May, 1919.
To the Members of
the Health Committee.
CONVALESCENT HOME.
I beg to report in accordance with the following Minute of the Council:—
"We have had under consideration the question of the provision of a Convalescent
Home for children as suggested by the Local Government Board in paragraph
32 of their memorandum on Maternity and Child Welfare (M. and C.W.4),
and RECOMMEND that the Medical Officer of Health be instructed to prepare
and submit to us a report and an estimate on the acquisition of a suitable property
within easy reach of North West London, having accommodation for
50 beds." (Council Minutes, p. 302, 22nd October, 1918).
Paragraph 32 of the Board's Circular on Maternity and Child Welfare, M. & C.W. 4, dated
9th August, 1918, is as follows :—
"A stay in a convalescent home is especially important for recovery after certain
cases of confinement and for some conditions in young children, especially
after measles and whooping cough. It is desirable therefore that Local Authorities
should, either themselves, or through a voluntary agency, arrange
for beds in convalescent homes to be available as part of their schemes. As a
general rule a grant will be paid to voluntary agencies providing convalescent
homes only in respect of accommodation provided in connection with a local
authority's scheme and approved by the Local Authority and the Board!"
A Convalescent Home.—A Preventive Institution.
A convalescent home, properly regarded, is an institution for the prevention of the continuance
and recurrence of disease. Patients should go there not only to recuperate from some
acute illness but also to prevent the frequent sequel of chronic ill health. Children suffering from
debility following an acute attack of disease and requiring to be fed, nourished, and cared for in
the open air especially need the advantages of a convalescent home in the country for complete
restoration to health and strength to resist any further attacks of disease on return to ordinary home
conditions. The convalescent home is especially important in the lung complications which follow
such diseases as measles and whooping cough. A prolonged period at a convalescent home after the
occurrence of such diseases would go far to prevent tuberculosis, which so frequently attacks the
young adult whose previous history tells of lung complications with the exanthemata of childhood.
A convalescent home too, would be used in certain cases as a rest home for the expectant
mother.
No. of Cases and Beds Required.
The following table gives particulars of 696 cases which came under observation during the
32 weeks, 8th September, 1918, to 19th April, 1919, at the Hospital or the Clinics, and which were
considered by the Medical Staff of the Authority as requiring a further period in a Convalescent
Home to restore them completely to health :—