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Speech Therapy
This service was administered centrally but Greenwich continued
to be more fortunate than most other London Boroughs regarding
the number of speech therapists. There still was, however, a waiting
list of pupils needing therapy.
Verrucae
Further trials continued in the treatment of floors with an
iodofer. This had a residual activity and treatment of gymnasium
floors at various schools in the Borough was carried out in an
attempt to reduce the spread of verrucae.
Immunisation
Greenwich continues to hold the best record for immunisation
among the Inner London Boroughs. Figures for diphtheria
(91.4%) and polio (90.5%) were the highest and the figures for
smallpox and diphtheria the second highest in the Inner London
Boroughs.
The Principal School Dental Officer in his report deals mainly
with the matters raised by one of the Ministry's dental officers in
his official inspection of the local authority dental service. The
Inspector was impressed by the high standard of equipment,
cleanliness and sense of order in the surgeries, but commented on
our shortage of staff. This is crucial to the provision of an adequate
service, but is unfortunately outside our control.
I am glad to record the indebtedness of the Department to the
Care Committee and in particular to Miss Comber and her staff.
As I write this introduction, Mr. Pattison, the Divisional Education
Officer, has retired as has Mr. Curtis, his deputy, and I acknowledge
gladly the kindness and consideration which we all received from
him, his deputy, and the teaching staff of the local schools. All of
us wish Mr. Pattison and Mr. Curtis a long and happy retirement.
In conclusion, I wish to express my grateful thanks to the staff
in the local School Health Service. I owe a particular debt to Dr.
Watts, my deputy, and Dr. Jansz, the Principal Medical Officer, who
shouldered the main day to day burden of this service.
John Kerr Brown,
Principal School Medical Officer.