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103
both ears was below normal. Medical reports are maintained on
these children and the school medical officer, assisted by a social
worker, ensures that these children have the necessary medical
care and are kept under observation at school. Of the children,
133 have hearing aids, nine of which were supplied during 1968.
A total of 309 children attend the I.L.E.A. audiology clinics
in Wandsworth ; many suffer from a slight but permanent hearing
loss. Most children come to the clinic after a preliminary "sweep"
test which is carried out in school by a School Nurse. At the end
of 1968 the services of a peripatetic teacher of the deaf, who will
be working part-time in Wandsworth, were a welcome addition to
the teams of otologist, social worker and nurse.
Special investigation clinics
At the end of 1968, 261 children were attending the six special
investigation clinics. There is a noticeable difference in the clinics
in different areas as regards the type of problems investigated.
Obese children predominate in some clinics, while those with
behaviour problems both at home and at school comprise a
majority of those attending other clinics.
The clinics are run jointly with the I.L.E.A. and the social
worker who attends the clinic with a doctor makes her contacts
with the home and schools through the School Care Organiser of
the Education Department.
Ear, nose and throat clinics
An average of five clinics a month are held in four school treatment
centres and at the end of the year 107 children were in
attendance.
Until April, 1968, the specialists at these clinics were able to send
children in need of surgery to the South Western Hospital. With
the changeover at that hospital to a geriatric unit, this service
for Wandsworth children came to an end and attendances at the
clinics consequently fell. It is hoped and expected, however, that
during the coming year the South West Metropolitan Regional
Hospital Board will be able once again to arrange for a direct
link between the school treatment centres and local hospitals.
Rheumatism clinics
During the year 61 children attended the two clinics in the
Borough but, due to the decline in children's rheumatism and the
availability of hospital cardiac units, attendances are falling. As
a result, the question of closing down these clinics was under active
discussion at the end of the year and at the time of writing the
decision has been taken to do so.