View report page

The number of Ophthalmic Clinic sessions originally held
was one per week, but later in the year, this was increased to
three sessions per week with the result that a considerable
arrear of work was disposed of. Enquiries were made during
the year in regard to the orthoptic treatment of squint and we
were informed that the Consultant Ophthalmic Specialist was
preparing a scheme for the County as a whole.
During the year an Orthopaedic Clinic was established by
the County Council at the Bexley Borough Council's Clinic
in Station Approach and a Specialist now attends at regular
intervals and treatment is in the hands of a trained physiotherapist.
A Speech Clinic was, also, established during the year at
the Wrotham Road Clinic, Welling, and has been carrying
out valuable work among the schoolchildren and also those
pre-school children who are referred from the Maternity and
Child Welfare Department.
The Bexley Borough Council Sunlight Clinic at 315,
Broadway, Bexleyheath, previously reserved for pre-school
children, was made available to school children, many of
whom have derived benefit from this service.
Medical Officers of the. Health Department took over
responsibility for lectures in Anatomy, Physiology and Hygiene
in connection with the pre-nursing course at the Bexley County
Technical School for Girls and the results of the preliminary
examination of the General Nursing Council have been
uniformly good. In this connection I should like to express
my appreciation of the help which we received from Miss
Collins, the Principal, and Miss Owen, who is in charge of
the pre-nursing classes, for the help and encouragement which
was received from them.
In connection with diphtheria immunisation, arrangements
were commenced during the year for the systematic
administration of " booster" doses to all children in the
Infants and Junior Schools and at the time of writing nearly
5,000 children have received treatment thus ensuring a high
level of immunity among the school population.
During the outbreak of poliomyelitis (infantile paralysis)
during the summer and autumn, it was found necessary to
suspend operations for the removal of tonsils and adenoids.
Advantage was taken of the lull to review the nose and throat
condition of the large number of Bexley children who were on
the waiting lists of the various hospitals serving the area.
In many cases the recommendation had been made as long
55