View report page

Remedial foot classes—Four remedial foot classes for schoolchildren were started in
1951 and under the direction of Dr. W. K. Steel and with the co-operation of head teachers
they had increased to 20 in 1961. They are held three or four times weekly, lasting
15-20 minutes for 12 to 16 children. Teachers who volunteer to conduct these classes attend
a course of lectures and demonstrations held by Dr. D. M. Baker at the Physical Education
College, Nottingham Place, and Dr. Baker visits the classes at least once a term. A
remedial gymnast also visits to help the teachers with any difficulties. Children are
usually recommended for the classes by school doctors, but some referrals come from
general practitioners. The defects chiefly found are flat feet and valgus ankles, the wrong
type of footwear has also to be dealt with, parents being advised on this matter. One term
of classes may be sufficient with some children but two or three terms may be required in
bad cases. During 1961 the number of children attending the classes was 617; of these
395 were newly admitted to the classes.
DIVISION 4, comprising the boroughs of Hackney, Shoreditch and Stoke Newington.
Dr. S. King reports:
Woodberry Down health centre—Still further developments in the use of accommodation
at the health centre occurred during the year. There are now seven general practitioners
practising at the centre, one of the six original practitioners having been joined by a partner.
The psychiatric social club now meets weekly instead of fortnightly and provides a varied
programme of discussions, films and social activities.
The area Children's Office was moved to the centre in March, occupying the accommodation
of the former sub-office together with an additional room which was needed to house
the increase in staff.
The Welfare department's class for the rehabilitation of physically handicapped persons
now meets four times a week instead of twice, thus enabling a larger number to attend this
popular class. Another activity of the Welfare department, the training class for the young
blind, was moved during the summer to a more convenient location in South London.
Mental health—The mental health officers' first full year of operations on a divisional
basis was completed without untoward incident. The team has settled well and established
a good relationship with general practitioners, hospitals and the various social agencies in
the area.
Nearly 600 cases of mental illness were dealt with during the year and the community
care service was developed as fully as possible having regard to the day-to-day pressure of
work upon the staff.
A new training centre, purpose-built, was opened in Ickburgh Road, Hackney in June
to accommodate 120 subnormal children between the ages of 5 and 16 years.
Clifton Lodge, a day centre for the rehabilitation of patients recovering from mental
illness which accommodates 40 patients, was opened in July, 1960. Initially conventional
occupational therapy was undertaken at this centre, but since the beginning of June, 1961
industrial work has been undertaken with the willing co-operation of local firms. This
has proved an incentive for regular attendance, as the patients undertaking the work gain
financially by the payment of an allowance up to a maximum of three shillings a day.
Health education—Meetings of staff involved in health education continued to be held
to discuss and co-ordinate the work in this field and to select topics for monthly publicity
efforts.
Local maternity liaison committees—These were established in 1960 by both hospital
management committees of the hospitals providing maternity beds in the division. A health
visitor attends the Bearsted Memorial hospital weekly to see the mothers during the lying-in
period and some of the patients who are confined at this hospital attend the Woodberry
102