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The Croydon Eye Unit maintains close liaison with the clinics, providing
orthoptic services and undertaking treatment of those cases referred
as suitable for surgery.
The principal source of demand remains the referral of cases found at
routine school medical inspection to have impaired visual acuity or other
ocular abnormality. The importance of this service and the continuing vigilance
and accuracy of the Local Authority staff is acknowledged.
Statistics will be found on page 54.
HEALTH EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS
Miss D.S. Elliott, S.R.N., H.V.Cert., D.H.E.
Principal Health Education Officer
In spite of severe staff shortages and difficulties health education work
in schools continued and even increased.
The book "Health Education - Patterns for Teaching" was published in
April and six copies were issued by the Health Department to every school
to offer them some help and guidance.
Secondary Schools
The one term Community Health Course was given to fourth year pupils
in thirteen Secondary and Grammar Schools during the year and the attendance
and interest of teachers was most rewarding. Much of the subject matter
was revised and new material introduced.
A number of other talks on special subjects were given by the health
education staff; there were also some first aid lectures to pupils of Croydon
High School by Dr. J.S. Horner and "Mouth to Mouth Resuscitation" demonstrations
by Dr. Phyllis Mortimer at Westwood School.
Junior and Infants Schools
"Growing Up"
The pairs of talks to parents and fourth year children in Junior Schools
continued and half the schools in Croydon now take advantage of the service.
A pilot scheme on the same subject was successfully carried out by
Dr. W. Simmonds for new boys at two secondary schools. The sessions were
held during school hours after all the boys had been seen at medical examinations.
All the parents who were asked for their views seemed enthusiastic.