London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Willesden 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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The Educational Sub-Normal Education Act , 1944— Sections 57(3), 57(4) and 57(5)
| 1954 | 1953 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cases dealt with under section 57, Education Act, 1944:— | ||
| Sub-Section 3 | 11 | 15 |
| Sub-Section 4 | - | 1 |
| Sub-Section 5 | 28 | 13 |
| Cases de-notified under section 8, Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1948 | 1 | - |
CHILD GUIDANCE
The child guidance clinic was opened at 22, Brondesbury Villas for four sessions a week in
October, 1954. The educational psychologist was appointed in March, 1953, and the psychiatric social worker
in July, 1954, but the psychiatrist was not appointed by the North-West Regional Hospital Board until
September, 1954.
Case conferences attended by health visitors and assistant medical officers started in November,
1954, and have been held at fortnightly intervals since. They have proved very valuable in dealing with
difficult problems and in encouraging co-operation between different branches of the health sevice.
Nineteen cases were seen (Table 1) and the waiting list of 45 was reduced to 33 at the end of the
year (Table 2).
Table 1
Reasons for referring the 19 cases seen
| Lack of progress in school | 5 |
| Behaviour problem at home | 4 |
| Enuresis and encopresis | 3 |
| Non-attendance at school | 1 |
| Phobias | 1 |
| Stealing | 3 |
| Inhibitive behaviour | 1 |
| Aggressive behaviour | 1 |
| 19 |
Table 2
| Waiting list at October, 1954 | Nos. seen | New cases referred | Waiting list 31.12.54 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 19 | 7 | 33 |
RHEUMATISM
The rheumatism clinic is held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at Willesden health clinic,
situated centrally in the Borough, and caters also for children who normally attend the Kilburn health
clinic or Stonebridge health clinic.
Rheumatism can be a serious disease requiring complete rest in bed followed by convalescence
for several months. It may lead to permanent heart damage, interfere with the child's normal activities,
and interrupt his school life. Some children are left physically handicapped and have to attend a special
school for many years.