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Special Investigation Clinics:
During 1967, 218(183) new patients attended the four special investigation clincis and
1.392(1,174) total attendances have been made. 52(96) children have been discharged.
Another special investigation clinic will be included in the new Grove Health Centre due
to open early in 1968.
Audiology
142 new patients attended the Audiology Clinics and 232 total attendances were made during
1967. A peripatetic teacher of the deaf was appointed during the year, but unfortunately only remained for 6 months and no replacement has yet been obtained.
The Consultant Otologist continued to visit the Day Special School for the deaf and the 2
units for the partially-hearing, so that each child was seen by a specialist at least once in the year.
Many of the children at these schools live in other Boroughs, and some live in Greater London, so
there is considerable liaison with other authorities.
Hospital Appointments
During 1967, 259(293) children were referred from school medical examinations for specialist opinion at hospital. The general practitioners were consulted on all these and, with their
approval 226(264) were referred through the School Health Service to the appropriate hospital
departments, and reports were subsequently sent to the School Medical Officer. The general practitioners preferred to make their own arrangements for the remaining 33(29) children.
Co-ordination of Education, Health and Welfare
Services for Handicapped Children and Young People
Circular 9/66 Department of Education and Science
Circular 7/66 Ministry of Health
The Principal School Medical Officer in his capacity as Medical Officer of Health and Director of Social Services is, in Hammersmith, the Chief Officer responsible for the co-ordination of
the Health, Welfare, and Children's Services in the Borough. The joint Circular was considered by
all the Principal and Senior Social Workers of these Services who are in close touch with other
statutory and voluntary organisations providing services in the area; the liaison with which was
strengthened by the establishment in the Borough of a Guild for Community Care.
There were consultations with the local General Practitioners' Liaison Committee, the
Paediatricians in the local teaching hospitals. Hospital Medical Social Workers and local voluntary
bodies, the Divisional Education Officer and School Care Organiser.
The Principal School Medical Officer (Hammersmith) was also a member of a working party
of officers set up by the Inner London Education Authority to consider the co-ordination of the
Inner London Borough's Health and Welfare Services and the Inner London Education Authority's
Services, including the School Health Services for handicapped children and young persons.
As a result of all these consultations the Hammersmith Council adopted the following
recommendations which were in the course of implementation by the end of the year:-
(i) The Ministry of Health to be recommended to introduce a standard form of "At risk"
notification for use by Hospitals, Midwives, and General Practitioners.
(ii) Closer liaison between the Borough medical and social services staff and hospitals.
(iii) Closer co-operation between General Practitioners and Borough Health Visitors and
Social Workers.
(iv) Publication of a pamphlet publicising services available for handicapped children.
(v ) Increased publicity of services in the "Design for Living" exhibition, and the Welfare
Service Shop.
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