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Convalescent Home for Nursing Mothers and Infants,
St. Mary's Convalescent Home, Birchington-on-Sea, Kent.
During 1929 full use was taken of the arrangement made by
the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee in 1928 whereby
nursing mothers with their infants (up to 6 months of age) can
be sent to this Home for a period of three weeks. 18 mothers
and 17 infants were sent to the Home during the year.
The mothers are all examined by my Assistant Medical Officer
for Maternity and Child Welfare prior to admittion to the
Home. They are chosen from those attending the Clinics, or are
referred for examination by the Health Visitors ; for many mothers,
it is the only holiday they have had for many years, and the result
is a great improvement both physically and mentally. Letters
of gratitude have been received for the happv holiday these
mothers have enjoyed.
Owing to the increasing demand towards the end of 1928 for
the occupation of the bed at St. Mary's Home, the Maternity and
Child Welfare Committee decided to rent a second bed, thereby
preventing a long waiting list with consequent disappointment
when it was found impossible to send all applicants awav. On
1st January, 1930, use was first made of this new arrangement.