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A number of unmarried mothers prefer to be placed in homes some distance from the
Borough and at times the Sutton Home is unable to accept all the Sutton cases. Under these circumstances
the unmarried mother is placed in the most appropriate home in another area and special
arrangements are made, if necessary, for the continuance of her education.
The total number of cases placed outside the Borough in 1970 was 8(16).
Recuperative Holidays
Arrangements are made for children and adults recommended on medical grounds for
recuperative holidays to be placed in the most appropriate convalescent or holiday home.
During 1970, 11 children (4) under the age of five years; 15 (17) school children;
and 51 (53) adults were sent for recuperative holidays.
Excluding children and those on social security benefit a contribution is paid by the
patient, the assessment of which is carried out by the Borough Treasurer.
Dental Care of Mothers and Young Children
There has been little change in the pattern of dental treatment for expectant and
nursing mothers and children under five years old. The number of mothers attending dental
clinics for treatment continues to be small but the ratio of fillings to extractions and dentures has
risen.
The number of pre-school children attending for treatment and the number of teeth
conserved remained fairly constant and there was a satisfactory drop in those attending as 'emergencies'
and in the number of teeth extracted.
The total number of pre-school children attending for dental inspection only was
lower than the previous year. This was very disappointing as it was hoped that with the opening
of the new Health Centre in Sutton these visits would have increased.
For statistics see table in the Appendix of this report.
Home Help Service
Recruitment of full-time home helps continues to be difficult and the Service is
dependent on part-time home helps. One full-time domestic auxiliary was recruited during the
year.
Although there is a chronic shortage of home helps, no household in urgent need is
ever left without help. The following table shows the number of households for whom the Home
Help Service was made available during 1970.
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