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In order that convalescence might still be offered to those
nursing mothers who required it, the Council arranged to rent one
bed at The London Mothers' Convalescent Home, Sunningdale,
Berkshire, and a second bed at "Child Haven," the convalescent
home at Brentwood, Essex, of the West Ham Central Mission.
The mothers are sent away with their infants (under three months
of age) for a period of two weeks to both these Homes ; each
mother is examined immediately prior to admission to the Homes
by the Senior Assistant Medical Officer for Maternity and Child
Welfare. The mothers are recommended in every case from
amongst those who attend the Welfare Centres in the Borough,
and it is very gratifying to note the remarkable change in the
women after they have had two weeks' complete rest and change.
At both Homes the mothers are helped in the management of the
infants and in the establishment of a regular method and routine
in feeding, habit training, etc.
Three mothers with their young infants were sent to Suningdale
in 1932, and the arrangement made with "Child Haven"
came into force in January, 1933.
Maternity and Nursing Homes in the Borough.
There are three Maternity and Nursing Homes in the
Borough, registered under the Nursing Homes' Registration
Act, 1927, one of these being the Plaistow Maternity Hospital.
Of the two remaining Homes, one admits only senile and chronic
cases, the other having accommodation for maternity, acute
medical or surgical and chronic cases.
During 1932 there was one other application for registration
of a private house as a Nursing Home, but the application was
subsequently withdrawn by the applicant for personal reasons.
There have been no orders cancelling or refusing registration,
and no applications for exemption from registration.
Children Aet, 1908.
Under Part I. of this Act, the supervision of foster-children
and of the homes of the foster-mothers is carried out by the Municipal
Health Visitors in their respective districts. Application for
registration as a foster-mother under the Act is sanctioned By the
County Borough Council on the recommendation of the Maternity
and Child Welfare Committee.
On receipt of an application for registration the Health Visitor
makes the necessary detailed enquiry, the result of which is
reported to the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee. In
every case a report is received from the Public Assistance Officer
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