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38
Convalescent Homes.
The Authority has arrangements with the I.C.A.A. for the convalescent
home treatment of all children up to 5 years of age in attendance
at the centres on the recommendation of the Medical Officer in charge.
Day Nurseries.
There are three day nurseries situated in the Borough; two conducted
by voluntary agencies and one managed by the local authority; total
accommodation is for 150 infants and toddlers.
One voluntary maintained by Guy's Hospital is regularly inspected
by the Medical Staff of the Hospital. One voluntary maintained by the
Crossway Mission, and the one municipal, are inspected weekly by the
Medical Staff of the Health Department.
At the present time the three nurseries meet the requirements of the
Borough, but should the time arrive when more accommodation in this
respect is required, I feel that the Borough Council would provide the
additional accommodation.
Extra Nourishment.
Under the Maternity and Child Welfare Act, the Council provides
free grants of milk, cod liver oil, malt, etc., to necessitous mothers and
children according to the scale of income adopted by the Council.
Free milk is applicable to all children up to the age of 3, and is
extended, on a special medical certificate, up to the time of attending
school.
In addition to free milk, dinners are provided through the London
Invalid Kitchens to expectant mothers and toddlers specially recommended
by the Medical Officer in charge of the Welfare Centre.
Conclusions.
It will be seen from the report that it is very desirable to increase
the number of sessions held at the Welfare Centres to prevent the present
overcrowding, and, in order to accomplish this satisfactorily, it is
necessary to employ whole-time Medical Officers and to enlarge the health
visiting staff by at least three health visitors.
I further suggest that "toddlers' clinics" should be established on
an experimental basis at two of our centres for a period of six months to