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

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West Ham 1949

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]

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ULTRA VIOLET LIGHT. The arrangements for children to receive treatment at the Children's
Hospital, Balaam Street, Plaistow, were continued throughout the year and are much appreciated.
107 children were referred from the Maternity and Child Welfare Clinics.

CONVALESCENCE. Number of cases sent away during 1949:-Children under 5 years:-

to "Transferred Homes"30
to other Homes36
66
Mothers with babies5

When children are admitted to "Transferred Homes" there is no charge to the local
authority or to the parents. Such Homes cater mainly for children who require medical or
nursing care during their convalescence and there are few places for children who need a
stay in a Holiday Home.
When children under 5 are admitted to a "Holiday Home" the cost is borne by the
Council, but the parents may be required to contribute according to a scale adopted by the
Council. The number of children sent for convalescence during 1949 was smaller than during
the previous year, but this is not an indication that there is any decrease in the need for
convalescence. After the "Appointed Day" there was a certain reluctance amongst parents to
avail themselves of a service to which they were required to contribute. Towards the end
of the year the Council had under consideration a more generous assessment scale. There is
no doubt of the need for this type of convalescence among delicate and ill-nourished children
who are living in an unsatisfactory environment, nor of the enormous benefit they derive from
a few weeks" stay in a Home especially planned to meet their needs. It is fortunate that
West Ham children are still able to enjoy the advantages of the Home at Shoeburyness and
Letchworth, and this Department is grateful to all who work in these Homes and are concerned
with their administration.
It has only been possible to send away 5 mothers with babies during the whole of the
year. The demand is much greater than this figure implies, but it has not yet been found
possible to make satisfactory arrangements for the convalescence of a mother who has one or
more children under 5 years.
The Invalid Children's Aid Association, through its local branch, has continued to
deal with the administrative work relating to convalescence and all applications are referred
to the Secretary. The efficiency of the service given by this Association and the helpful
approach made by the staff is of very great assistance, both to the officers of this department
and to the children and their parents.
SPECIALIST CLINICS. As in the previous year the following Specialist Clinics have
been available to children under 5 years by appointment through the School. Health Service.
Eye Clinic 84, West Ham Lane.
Ears, Nose and Throat 84, West Ham Lane.
Paediatric Clinics 84, West Ham Lane.
Rosetta Road School.
Child Guidance Credon Road School.
In addition, children requiring ultra violet light treatment have been referred from
the Council's clinics to the Children's Hospital, Balaam Street, Plaistow, E.13.
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