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295
Defects most often requiring treatment or observation were those
connected with skin, nose, throat, heart and lungs and the numbers
of these were above those reported from other Inner London
Boroughs. The incidence of psychological disorders requiring
treatment was approximately 2 per 1,000 pupils and that for those
requiring observation was approximately 19 per 1,000 pupils.
Examination of children regarding their fitness for school
journeys—many of which were made overseas—comprised a major
proportion of non-routine medical examinations. Seven hundred
and fifteen pupils were examined in connection with assessing their
educational needs as handicapped pupils and a further 704 pupils
were examined before they were allowed to undertake part-time
employment.
More individual pupils were seen in Greenwich during comprehensive
and selective surveys than in any other Inner London
Borough. At these surveys 349 pupils were found to be verminous
(396 in 1967) but these formed only 0.89% of the school roll, a
lower figure than average for the Inner London Boroughs.
Special Schools
During the year, Charlton Park School for Physically Handicapped
pupils was fully opened with weekly boarding and day
sections. This specially designed school enabled physically
handicapped children to be educated to the best of their scholastic
ability. Two school sisters were daily on duty at the school and
the School Medical Officer paid a weekly visit. A consultant orthopaedic
surgeon, a cardiologist and an opthalmologist visited the
school at regular intervals.
Griffin Manor School for autistic children increased its numbers
during the year and a visiting consultant psychiatrist was appointed
to the school.
Delays in the placement of children requiring special educational
treatment were greatest amongst those awaiting admission
to Day and Boarding Schools for the maladjusted.
Speech Therapy
Greenwich was fortunate to have a larger number of speech
therapists than the other Inner London Boroughs but there was
still a waiting list for those pupils who needed this therapy.