View report page

121
Nursing.
The District Nursing Association undertake the nursing of children under
five years and parturient women referred to them by medical practitioners and
by the Maternity and Child Welfare Department. The number of cases
visited was 244 and the number of visits paid 3,198. The particulars of these
cases will be found on page 42 of this report.
Convalescence.
Children recommended for convalescent treatment by the doctors at the
Welfare Centres can be sent either to one of the homes approved by the
Invalid Childrens' Aid Association, with which organization the Committee
have a working arrangement, or to the Noel Home at Letchworth, or the John
Maddox Home at Basing, the Homes of the Association of Infant Welfare
Centres.
The number of children whose convalescence was arranged by the
Invalid Childrens' Aid Association was 16 and in 15 of these cases the
Maternity and Child Welfare Committee made a contribution towards the
cost.
In March an agreement was entered into with the Association of Infant
Welfare Centres under which, in consideration of a payment of £150 per
annum, three beds at the Letchworth Convalescent Home, or alternatively,
at the John Maddox Home at Basing, were placed at the disposal of the Committee.
This former home now takes the place of the one at Arkley, near
High Barnet. With the exception of one week these cots were continuously
in use throughout the year. Eighteen children were convalesced under this
agreement during the year. Owing to an epidemic of infectious disease in
the home at Letchworth several children were kept longer than had been
advised. The average duration of convalescence of all children above referred
to was slightly over 8 weeks.
Mention was made in the last Report of the kind gift of Miss Ricketts of
a sum of money to assist in making arrangements for convalescence.
Altogether, Miss Ricketts' generosity has been the means of sending away
10 children and 9 mothers in addition to those mentioned above.
School Entrants.
I have to thank the School Medical Officer of the County of London for
the following information regarding the routine medical inspection of the
Shoreditch children who entered school during 1933.
This information is of much interest affording as it does an indication of
the physical condition of children at the age at which they pass beyond the
scope of our Maternity and Child Welfare schemes.