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110
Childhood Cancers—A survey into child deaths from cancer
being undertaken by the Department of Social Medicine at Oxford
University continues to demand from health visitors, careful and
delicate preparation of parents for the subsequent visiting of a
Medical Officer to obtain comprehensive histories of the various
cases. Eight families were visited by a Medical Officer during the
year in connection with this survey.
Spina Bifida—At the close of the year 1966, a survey into
children with spina bifida was launched by the G.L.C.'s Research
and Intelligence Unit with a view to ascertaining:—
(1) All known cases of this congenital malformation living at
30th September, 1966, with information regarding site of lesion,
associated malformations and handicaps, operation treatment,
extent of locomotion and continence, living conditions and
education.
(2) The number of cases during the 12 months ended 30th
September, 1967, with additional details of birth weight, birth
order, mother's age and obstetric history, cause of death, etc.
I am happy to include some interim comments by Miss B.
Spain, M.A., Dip. Psych., the Research Officer in charge of the
project:
"The study of the prevalence of spina bifida is now nearing completion.
Approximately 600 children suffering from this condition
have been located within G.L.C. and their medical records examined
to give details of their handicaps. The results of this analysis
should be complete in 1969.
A study of the incidence of this condition reveals that at the
present time about 200 children are born each year with spina
bifida within G.L.C. Only about half of these children survive to
their first birthday, the rest being either stillborn or dying as babies.
This suggests that the incidence for London is somewhat lower
than has been found elsewhere in the country.
We are making a special investigation of children born between
April 1967 and March 1969. All of these children are to be seen
annually until they reach school age, to examine their handicaps
and development and the kinds of problems arising for their
families as a result of their having a handicapped child. We hope
in this way to gather information which will help in the planning
of school facilities and other local authority services."
Health Visitor Training
Health Visitor training continues under the agreed revised rules
submitted by the Council for the training of Health Visitors to the
Minister in 1965 in accordance with Section 2 of the Health
Visiting and Social Work (Training) Act, 1962.