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During the year in spite of many difficulties, more physiotherapy
and speech therapy sessions have been devoted to cerebral palsy cases
attending the school. In addition, arrangements were made for some
of the children to receive physiotherapy during the school holidays.
Children whose parents were agreeable, were transported by the ambulance
service during the Christmas holiday to a school clinic, thus
ensuring continuity of treatment. It is hoped to continue these holiday
arrangements during 1953.
Some of the special equipment required for the use of the unit has
been obtained. Other equipment, including special desks and chairs,
will be obtained when the additional accommodation is available.
Physiotherapy
The approved establishment of physiotherapists for the area is three.
Their work is not only concerned with orthopaedic cases attending one
or other of the clinics, but is essential for the needs of spastic children
attending the special school for physically handicapped children.
Between February and June 1952, two full-time and two part-time
physiotherapists were employed, equivalent to two and seven-elevenths
full-time staff. At the time of writing the strength is one and nineelevenths,
the children at Vale Road are now receiving totally inadequate
treatment and the inability to fill the vacancies is causing grave concern
to the orthopaedic surgeons and the staff of the school.
Speech Therapy
A second speech therapist for Tottenham was appointed in April,
1952. Two others work part-time in Hornsey. This increase in staff
has made possible a daily session at Vale Road Special School for
Physically Handicapped Children, where two therapists, one with
specialist training, treat children suffering from cerebral palsy.
The importance of the preventive aspect of the work is becoming
increasingly recognised. More pre-school children are seen. An indirect
approach, through parent education, has proved of value in the treatment
of early stammer, or delayed speech development, while suspected
sensory loss or organic lesion require the earliest expert investigation.
Work with a recording apparatus has shown the possibilities of such
equipment as an aid to treatment.
Report on the Rheumatism supervisory scheme for the year 1st August,
1951 to 31st July, 1952.
This rheumatism supervisory scheme was inaugurated on 1st August,
1951, under the overall direction of Dr. I. M. Anderson, Paediatrician,
Prince of Wales's Hospital, with the close co-operation of the local
Public Health and Area Health Departments.
The children are referred to the clinics by their private doctors and
through the School Health Service. A number of children are also
admitted directly to the paediatric wards of the Prince of Wales's
Hospital and St. Ann's General Hospital suffering from acute rheumatic
fever and allied conditions. After discharge from hospital these patients
attend the supervisory clinic.
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