London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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London County Council 1950

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]

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118
All other child guidance facilities for children of school age were under the control
of the regional hospital boards, the governors of teaching hospitals or voluntary
associations.
Work on the premises at 19, Brixton Water Lane, Brixton, S.W.2, which it is
proposed should be opened as a child guidance unit in co-operation with the Governors
of the Maudsley Hospital, has proceeded.

The following statement gives details of the disposal of cases which had been closed by the end of the year:—

Battersea Child. Guidance UnitEarls Court Child Guidance UnitTotal
Seen but not treated (diagnosis &
advice)141125
Recovered33
Much improved88
Improved53136
Not improved77
Unco-operative61016
Placed in residential establish
ments, etc12618
Removed to another district11
4074114

Diabetic unit
The Council's residential diabetic unit for about 50 children is housed in the
residential school at Hutton, Essex.
During their stay at Hutton the children are taught the principles of the control
of their disease and the importance of dietary. They are also trained to give themselves
injections of insulin and to guard against the accidents of a diabetic life.
The only restriction placed on the selection of pupils for admission is that they
should be suffering from diabetes mellitus, which cannot be adequately controlled
at home, and be of such intelligence as to profit by their stay.
The day to day care of the children was undertaken by a visiting medical officer
and by nursing staff with special experience. A consultant visited fortnightly and
at such other times as were necessary. The laboratory work to ensure control was
undertaken by the staff under the supervision of the consultant. The pupils took
part in all school activities, including a fortnight's visit to a holiday camp.
About half the children at the school are sent and maintained by authorities
other than London.
Children under five years of age
An inspector of the Education Officer's department continued to visit primary
schools with accommodation available for nursery classes after the needs of the
children over five had been met, and in those cases where she was prepared to approve a
nursery class, the Divisional Medical Officer was consulted, and arrangements were
made to introduce some approximation to nursery school conditions.
At the end of 1950 there were 128 nursery classes with accommodation for
approximately 3,900 children over three years of age and upwards. In addition to a
midday meal, these children had one-third of a pint of milk daily and cod liver oil
and other vitamin preparations ; for those who required them medicaments containing
iron were also prescribed. Nursery class children attend during the ordinary school
hours of primary schools, but nursery school children attend from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30
p.m. and have breakfast (when necessary), dinner and tea, and two-thirds of a pint
of milk daily in addition to the other supplements supplied to the nursery class
children.