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The children referred with flat feet present in some instances a more
serious problem. Though some orthopaedic surgeons do not refer a
symptom-free flat foot for treatment if the child is wearing good supporting
shoes, many children have been seen with badly fitting shoes. The
wearing of small shoes and socks and pointed toed shoes can affect the
normal development of the foot. Plimsoles should be kept for physical
education sessions only.
An experimental programme for the treatment of painful periods
(dysmenorrhoea) has been started. Several girls' secondary schools were
visited to find whether a problem existed for some girls and if they would
be interested in taking part in the scheme. The schools approached were
enthusiastic. 90 girls have been seen by the school medical officers, and
a waiting list of names has been started. Three groups have now been
completed with some encouraging results. The results of the whole course
cannot be evaluated until later in the year when the statistics have been
completed. On these results it should be possible to decide if the scheme
should become part of the services offered by the School Health Service.
SPEECH CLINIC
Mrs. S.M. Wickerson, L.C.S.T., Senior Speech Therapist
1966 has been a year of great change and progress for Croydon's
Speech Therapy Service.
In January 1966 a Special Unit for severely speech disordered children
opened. The children attending are all cases of developmental aphasia,
and require intensive speech therapy and specialised tuition. One fulltime
Speech Therapist attends the Unit. It is attached to the West Thornton
Primary School. There are very few such units in Great Britain, and we
are proud to see one established in Croydon.
The Service has expanded generally. Two additional sessions are
now worked at the Purley Clinic, and it is hoped to increase them further
to meet the heavy demand within that district. In addition since February
1966 three sessions have been held weekly in the medical room at the
new Community Centre on the Shrublands Estate, Shirley. Also a new
treatment room has been built for the Speech Therapists at St. Giles'
School. This was completed in the Autumn. A survey is to be made, and
again it is hoped to increase the number of sessions held at the school.
Similarly it is felt that further sessions must be given to St. Christopher's
School.