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RECUPERATIVE HOLIDAYS
SCOPE
31.1 Recuperative holidays are provided for:-
(a) Expectant mothers and children under 5 years (under the National Health
Service Act, 1946, Section 22);
(b) Schoolchildren (provided by the Inner London Education Authority under
the Education Act, 1944, Section 48 (3) on the recommendation of the
Principal School Medical Officer (Camden));
(c) Others (under the National Health Service Act, 1946, Section 28, which
covers care and after care).

* Not available.
ELIGIBILITY
31.3.1 The demand for the services proved to be much the same in 1967 and 1968.
Referrals were made by general practitioners, hospitals, clinics and school doctors.
Any person recovering from a recent illness but not in need of nursing care was eligible
for a recuperative holiday. In all instances the social circumstances as well as the
medical condition were taken into account when deciding that a recuperative holiday
was necessary and when considering the duration of the holiday. In many instances the
social need was as great as, and sometimes greater than, the medical need. The medical
recommendation was therefore often and usefully supplemented with information from a
social worker. Especially in the case of the elderly, additional information on the
patient's mobility and ability to cope with travelling arrangements was essential to a
successful placement.
31.3.2 Under the arrangements approved by the Welfare and Health Committees, parties
of children from Camden homeless families accommodation went to I.L.E.A. homes at
Bognor and Littlehampton during the off-season period.
INSPECTION OF RECUPERATIVE HOLIDAY HOMES
31.4 The Health Committee (21.6.67) approved the expenditure of approximately
£150 a year as a contribution by Camden towards the cost of the inspection of recuperative
holiday homes undertaken by the Medical Officer of Health of Southwark on behalf
of many of the Inner London Boroughs. This scheme covers the inspection of recuperative
holiday homes in relation to standards of cleanliness; precautions against fire and
accident; heating, etc.; and the categories of patient to be accepted. The advantages of
the arrangement are that one standard is applied to all homes; charges are negotiated
with one authority; and proprietors, in addition to being spared a multiplicity of visits
and possibly conflicting advice, are enabled to contact one source for guidance. As far
as possible holidays are arranged quickly, but it is necessary to wait for a suitable
vacancy, especially during the summer months, when the demand for places is heavy.
Some of the larger homes which also take convalescent patients offer a rather institutionalised
setting, which some patients prefer to the rather informal setting of the small
seaside guest-house. A number of homes offering accommodation for mothers and their
children is very limited.
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