London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Wimbledon 1933

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wimbledon]

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Children and Young- Persons Act, 1932; Children Act,
1908 (Part 1).—The following figures relate to the administration
of the above Act in Wimbledon during 1933:—
(i) Number of foster parents on the Register—
(a) At the beginning of the year 25
(b) At the end of the year 37
(ii) Number of children on the Register—
(a) At the beginning of the year 31
(b) At the end of the year 42
(c) Who died during the year Nil
(d) On whom inquests were held during
the year Nil
Every foster child was visited regularly throughout the
year and if the conditions were not satisfactory, more frequent
visits were paid. In all, three hundred and twentyseven
visits were made to the homes of foster mothers.
Although three of the Health Visitors hold appointments
under Section 2 (2) of the principal Act, it has been found
expedient to make one Health Visitor responsible for the
entire visiting.
The standard of care devoted to the foster-children in
Wimbledon was found to be very satisfactory. In a few
cases it was necessary to insist on a suitable and proper cot
being supplied for a child. These requirements were promptly
complied with.
Attention was also paid to the provision of suitable fireguards
in the home of every foster-mother.
Where a foster-child was found not to be making satisfactory
progress the foster-mother was informed that it was
necessary for her either to obtain private medical attention
or to take the child to the Health Centre.
One foster-child, who became seriously ill. was admitted
to a general hospital where it ultimately recovered. This
child had received every attention before admission to
hospital and had been under medical supervision at the local
Child Welfare Centre. All the requirements of the Children
Act had been fully complied with.
The Children and Young Persons Act, 1932, which came
into operation on 1st January, 1933, considerably amends
the Children Act, 1908. One of the most important alterations
is the raising of the age of the foster-child from seven
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