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22
VENEREAL DISEASES.
The following statistics have been abstracted from copies of form
VaD.(R) (1951), which have been received from the Hospitals named and
total figures for 1949 and 1950 are also shewn
Patients dealt with for the first time
during 1951
Syphilis
Gonorrhoea
Other
Conditions
Total
Whltechapel Clinic, London Hospital
5
20
103
128
St. Thomas' Hospital, S„E„1
-
-
3
3
Albert Dock Hospital
1
5
26
J2
Totals
~6
25
132
163
Totals for 1950
23
23
128
174
Totals for 1949
31
33
158
222
ALDERSBROOK HOMES AND SCATTERED HOMES.
The statistics for the year 1951 are appended:-
l. Average number in homes throughout the year 389
2. No, chargeable to East Ham on 1,1,51. 102
3. No, chargeable to East Ham on 31.12.51o 118
4. Average weekly admissions 11
5. Average weekly discharges 12
The Council In their wisdom have decided that the best method of
dealing with the 'deprived child' is by placement whereever possible in a
'small home' or foster home. This will entail the disbanding of the
Aldersbrook Children's Homes as an institution, retaining only the Nursery
for the reception of children up to two years of age. This step has become
imperative with the rising cost per child in the Homes consequent to the
withdrawal of children by Essex.and West Ham,
The Council already own a sufficient number of scattered homes to
accommodate all the East Ham children, and the Nursery could be used as a
reception 'observation' unit without further expenditure. It is intended
that the closure of Aldersbrook will be effected by 1955, but Is possible
that all the blocks might be emptied sooner.
Meanwhile the work at Aldersbrook continues on an even tenor. There
is a constant traffic of short stay children and efforts have been made to
bring the nursery children into small groups to obviate 'handling' by too
many staff.
In various ways these Homes remain a pattern for the better type of
Institution for the reception and bringing up of large groups of
'deprived' children.
The Inexorable march of progress In child welfare demands a 'home
life' for every child, but there is a real danger at the moment that the
unfortunate child may be made to fit the home, rather than the home be
selected and prepared with painstaking exactitude to receive and nurture
the child.