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Convalescent Homes for Children.
During 1930 sixty-eight children under 5 years of age were
sent to convalescent homes at the expense of the Council, through
the Invalid Children's Aid Association and the Invalid and Crippled
Children's Society. The average length of stay per child was
9.2 weeks. These children are all examined by the Assistant
Medical Officer for Maternity and Child Welfare, who gives a
certificate stating the length of convalescent treatment necessary.
In some cases convalescent treatment is required for these young
children after an acute illness, most frequently broncho-pneumonia.
Such a child is referred by the private doctor or from a hospital.
Lengthy convalescence is required to restore these children to
perfect health, and to prevent the little ones from developing
chronic pulmonary disorders. But the greater number of children
under 5 years of age are referred to the Convalescent Clinic because
of malnutrition, anaemia, rickets, and general debility ; many
are recommended from the Infant Welfare Centres in the Borough.
Again, a short holiday is of small benefit in such cases—a prolonged
stay in healthy surroundings, with suitable diet and adequate
rest, will produce wonderful and lasting benefit where all
other methods of treatment have been tried with little or no success.
At present the facilities for obtaining convalescent treatment
for such young children are very inadequate, so that the
Societies always have long lists of cases awaiting vacancies.
As a result, children in urgent need of convalescent treatment
may have to wait several weeks before they can be sent away.
Convalescent Home for Nursing Mothers and Infants,
St. Mary's Convalescent Home, Birchington-on-Sea, Kent.
During 1930 the two beds rented by the Council at this Home
were kept fully occupied. There is a great demand for this convalescent
treatment; the care and attention received while at St.
Mary's Home has been much appreciated by all the mothers who
have spent a holiday there. The physical change is marked, but
even more marked is the mental improvement. The mothers return
with a happier, and brighter outlook, and as a result they feel
ready to cope with the many difficulties at home.
The mothers are all examined prior to admission to the Home.
They are chosen from those attending the Welfare Centres or are
recommended as suitable cases by the Health Visitors.
Thirty-two mothers and thirty-one infants (under 6 months
of age) were sent to the Home during 1930 for a three weeks'
period of convalescence.
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