View report page

81
Queen's Hospital for Children.

CONVALESCENCE.
At the present time children under five years of age can receive convalescent
treatment in one of three ways: (a) they may be referred to the Invalid Children's
Aid Association, with which organisation the Committee has a working arrangement;
such children are sent to the Association's homes; (b) through the Women's
Holiday Fund; and (c) to the homes of the Association of Infant Welfare Centres.
The number of children whose convalescence was dealt with by the Invalid
Children's Aid Association in the last four years is as follows : 1931, 23; 1932, 30;
1933, 16; 1934, 8. The Maternity and Child Welfare Committee made a contribution
towards the cost of maintenance of all the cases in 1934.
It should be pointed out that of the ten beds in the wards at the Model Welfare
Centre, five are reserved for the treatment of children suffering from alimentary
troubles and the other five are for toddlers and mothers. Further particulars of the
work carried out in the ward will be found on page 77.
The adequacy of the arrangements for convalescence has been a matter for
serious consideration of the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee since the end
of the year under review. At the Centres lists are drawn up of children who are
recommended for convalescent treatment, and in preparing these lists it is the
practice to include only those children who require such treatment urgently. During
the last two years only about 50 who were definitely listed as requiring convalescence
were actually sent to one of the convalescent establishments indicated above.
There is, unfortunately, no satisfactory arrangement in the Borough for the
convalescent treatment of mothers. During the year under review four mothers
were sent away at the Council's expense and another three received treatment under
voluntary agencies. From the above facts it will be evident that at the present time
there is not sufficient accommodation for the convalescence of mothers and children,
and daring the present year (1935) steps are being taken to remedy this position.