London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Bexley 1971
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bexley]
This page requires JavaScript
The School Medical Officer spent 34 sessions in examining every child at the school, in
addition 14 comprehensive assessments were carried out. Over and above the regular sessions
the School Medical Officer pays frequent ad hoc visits, to advise on medical problems and to
comment on special equipment.
Close liaison is maintained with family doctors and consultants. The Physiotherapists and
Speech Therapist attend regularly to advise the staff and treat the children.
SHENSTONE SCHOOL FOR SEVERELY RETARDED CHILDREN
This School was formerly known as Shenstone Training Centre, and the excellent work
carried out in the face of many difficulties, not the least the premises, is of special credit to
the staff. The medical aspect was shared between two School Medical Officers. 51 children were
medically examined and 42 of their parents attended.
SPECIALIST SERVICES
Any parent of a child where Consultant opinion is required can, if he so wishes, be referred
to a Hospital. There are, however, specialities with a particular bearing on education and it
has always been thought advisable for the Authority to provide its own Consultant services
closely attuned to local conditions.
The 3 Opthalmic Clinics under the aegis of the Health Department hold two sessions each per week. The relevant figures of 1971 are given below:—
| Clinic | No. of Appointments sent | No. of Attendances | Keystone Referrals | Cases from P.H. Medical Officers | Prescription for Glasses | Errors of Refraction (including Squint) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crayford | 1716 | 1138 | 132 | 171 | 194 | 1131 |
| Danson | 2190 | 1931 | 211 | 265 | 577 | 1375 |
| Hainault | 1517 | 909 | 162 | 121 | 213 | 723 |
OTOLOGY CLINIC
The Clinic, situated at 315 Broadway, operates for two sessions a week under its Director,
the Otologist Mr. D.N. Stewart.
The object of the Clinic is an early and accurate assessment of the child's hearing, leading
to positive recommendation for effective treatment both on the medical and education side.
The Otologist is prepared to carry out the surgical treatment personally after consultation with
the family doctor, thus remaining in the overall charge of the management of the child.
81