View report page

AUDIOLOGY
Infants were given a routine sweep test as soon as possible after entry to school. 5,941 (6,222) children
were tested in this way by school nurses. If the test showed any doubt as to the normality of a child's
hearing, a pure tone test was also given by a specially trained school nurse. 99 (72) of the tests were carried
out during the year and 99 (72) children were found to have defective hearing and referred for further
investigation. 38 (35) audiology sessions were held, at which the total of attendances was 215 (171).
At the end of the year 84 (69) children were in attendance at audiology clinics. 1 (4) was provided
with a hearing aid during the year making a total of 111 (109) children still attending Islington schools who
have been provided with them. Many of these children come from other Boroughs to attend Frank Barnes
School for the Deaf.
SPECIAL INVESTIGATION CLINICS
Special investigation clinics were held for children suffering from obesity, enuresis and early emotional
problems. The school doctor could refer children to these clinics where advice was given and emotional
problems and management discussed with parents.
At the end of the year 337 (321) children were attending these clinics at six centres in the Borough.
Total attendances were 1,694 (1,741) and 67 (76) children were discharged cured.
MEDICAL TREATMENT
Nurses treated school children for verrucae, athlete's foot, eye, ear and skin diseases as well as bruises,
lacerations etc. at minor ailments clinics. During 1971 295.5 (309.5) sessions were held at which 526 (563)
new cases attended. Total attendances during the year were 4,752 (4,834).
School children found at dental or medical inspections to need dental treatment were given appointments
to attend one of the four dental clinics in the Borough unless their parents expressed a wish for them
to be seen by their private dentist. 2,655 (2,043) dental treatment sessions were held at which 4,589 (4,211)
new cases attended and total attendances were 13,798 (13,110).
VISION TESTING
A pilot scheme was carried out early in the year, using the Keystone apparatus. 3,603 school children
of varying ages were tested during a period of nine weeks and, of this number, 202 were referred for more
detailed investigation. The Keystone apparatus tests for squint and colour vision as well as near and distant
vision, the results being more accurate than with other methods previously used in schools.
Following the successful results of the pilot scheme, it was decided to adopt Keystone vision testing
in all schools, to test childrens'eyes at ages 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 years.
VISION FOLLOW-UP
During the latter part of the year, school nurses took over from the Education Welfare Service the
function of visiting the parents of school children who failed Vision Clinic appointments. The result is an
increase in attendances, so that more children with vision defects are receiving treatment.
BATHING CENTRES
Parents of children found by school nurses at comprehensive or selective medical examinations to have
vermin and nits were given a special shampoo and instructions as to how to cleanse their child's head at home.
If, however, this was not successful the children were referred to the Council's bathing centre for cleansing,
as were any children found verminous at recuperative holiday or school journey pre-departure examinations.
There was a total of 252 (224) attendances for this purpose during 1971.
Children found to be suffering from scabies were also sent to the bathing centre for cleansing during
1971 and total attendances for this purpose were 218 (250).
101