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Welfare Foods
The distribution of Welfare Foods from the Child Welfare Centres and the Public
Hallt Canning Town, continued smoothly during the .year, and the W,V.S. have, as before,
kindly been responsible for this service at West Ham Lane Clinic.
The National Dried Milk and the Cod Liver Oil with lower vitamin D content, which
was mentioned in last year's report, began to reach the public in January. This was also
the first full year of the restriction of Welfare Orange Juice to children under 2 years
and understandably there were a number of enquiries about the change.
There were no other changes except a few minor administrative adjustments.
Recuperative Holiday
Unaccompanied pre- school children 18
Mothers with children 14
32
Reasons for referral
Unaccompanied children- These children were referred mainly on account of debility
due to environmental conditions, or following infectious disease or tonsillectomy. They
were sent away because their condition indicated that a period of convalescence was really
necessary, although their mothers were unable to accompany them. They were mainly the older
pre- school children.
Mothers with children - Of the mothers who went away with children, 9 were referred
on account of debility following confinement, while 3 were expectant mothers. The other 2
mothers were well, but went away in order to accompany their children.
The mothers and children recommended for recuperative holiday are carefully selected
by the Medical Officers, and after their return are followed up by their District Health
Visitors. Reports show an improvement in health and morale which is of lasting benefit to
the family. Our thanks are particularly due to the staff of the West Ham branch of the
Invalid Children's Aid Association, of Winterton House, Buckinghamshire, and of St. Helens,
Letchworth, who have given such devoted care to the mothers and children.
Liaison with Children's Officer and Medical Care of Deprived Children
The Council's Medical Officers visit the nine "family group" Children's Homes
once a quarter in order to carry out regular medical examinations, and on other occasions
when medical problems arise. The two residential nurseries are visited regularly each
month. The Medical Officers also undertake the regular medical examination of children
boarded-out in West Ham, and both school and pre-school children are often referred to
the Health Department clinics immediately before admission to, or discharge from,
Children's Homes.
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