View report page

75
Category (1).—The scheme is designed to board out or remove
to an institution, children living in heavily infected and overcrowded
homes. It is suggested that the icmoval of the children
should take place at a time when it may be anticipated that during
their absence the source of the infection will be removed permanently
either by death or permanent transfer to an institution.
By this means it should be possible to ensure that the children
will return to an environment from which serious risk of infection
has been withdrawn, and thus confer substantial benefit on the
children and afford indirect assistance to the family at a time when
the strain is greatest and when help is most needed.
Category (2).—This category comprises those children who,
on discharge from sanatorium, have to return to unsuitable home
conditions militating against the benefit derived in the residential
institution. The number of such children is limited as it is not
proposed to deal with cases in which the home conditions are so
unfavourable that there is no prospect of ultimate improvement.
The children in all categories may be kept away as long as
the conditions in the home are unfavourable to the return of the
children.
The parents of children sent away under the three schemes
are assessed by the Invalid Children's Aid Association in the same
way as cases referred to that Association for convalescence under
existing arrangements with the County Council.
During the year, 28 children (contacts of 17 cases) were recommended
by the Tuberculosis Officers for boarding-out, and 2
children recommended for convalescent treatment after sanatorium
treatment. Of this number, 9 were boarded-out under the .scheme.
In 11 cases the parents refused to allow the children to leave
home, but in 5 of these cases they afterwards withdrew their
opposition. The remaining cases were outstanding at the end
of the year.