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DEAF AND PARTIALLY-HEARING CHILDREN
Children suspected of hearing loss are tested by health visitors at health centres.
Where such loss is confirmed or there is any doubt, the child is referred to an audiology
clinic and seen by a specialist and a teacher of the deaf. Action taken includes referral
to hospital for treatment or for the issue of a hearing-aid, to school for the deaf and
partially-hearing, or to a health centre for further observation where loss is slight.
There are no special schools for this defect in the borough, children having to go to
school either in Hackney or Islington.
25 new cases were added to the deaf register during the year, the register now
totalling 259.
EDUCATIONALLY SUBNORMAL CHILDREN
The Education Act 1944 makes provision (a) for the statutory examination of children
who may require special educational treatment and (b) as amended by the Mental Health Act
1959 for the examination of children who are deemed to be unsuitable for education at
school, and for review examinations of such children.
Children examined for these purposes during the year by specially qualified medical
officers numbered 292.
There are three schools in the borough for the education of these children who are
medically examined each year.
VISION
During the year test were carried out on 10,907 schoolchildren.
B.C.G. VACCINATION
The arrangements continued during the year for vaccinating 13-year old schoolchildren
against tuberculosis using B.C.G. This year 38 schools were visited compared with 29 last
year, 44 per cent more children being tested than in 1965.
PHYSIOTHERAPY
A physiotherapy clinic service providing ultra-violet light, remedial exercises,
massage and infra-red treatment operates for children who have posture and breathing
defects, flat feet, knock-knees, bow legs and valgus ankles, etc.
JUVENILE EMPLOYMENT
It is a requirement of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933/Education Act 1944
84.