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CHILDREN'S DEPARTMENT
During the year, 84 medical examination forms completed by local general
practitioners have been perused by the Deputy Medical Officer of Health. In
this way, important medical aspects are brought to the notice of the Children's
Officer. These children were boarded out into foster homes.
Each of the Children's Homes have been visited, and were found to be
in good order.
Liaison with the Children's Department is ensured by the attendance of
my Deputy at Children's Committee meetings. However, only if there is close
liaison between departments at the field worker level will we work in harmony,
and thus give children in need the benefit of our combined knowledge and
experience.
VACCINATION AND IMMUNISATION
This year saw the publication of a revised memorandum on immunisation
against infectious diseases by the Standing Medical Advisory Committee for the
Central Health Services Council. The aim of the new schedule is to provide
for a more uniform national pattern of immunisation and to enhance the degree
of protection provided by immunisation against infectious disease. In the main
the new schedule provides for starting immunisation at a later age with a
longer interval between each dose. The possibility that this might reduce the
number of children achieving a satisfactory immunity state has been a source
of concern and this aspect is being kept under review.