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It is felt that physical medicine has much to offer in the treatment of
respiratory, neurological (with both motor and sensory involvement), orthopaedic
and traumatic conditions. The realisation that empirical treatments
are valueless is not new. Mild postural growth disturbances are not helped
by re-education through voluntary exercise since it is not the right medium.
Physiotherapy has much to offer in the rehabilitation field. To date
treatment has been started on an extensively burned child in a clinic, thus
permitting a more rapid return to school and normal life.
SPEECH THERAPY SERVICE
Mr. J.R. Brook, Senior Speech Therapist
The year for the Speech Therapy Service has been a disrupted one because
of the large number of staff changes including that of the Senior Speech
Therapist. Mrs. Wickerson, the Senior Therapist, left after many years, first as
therapist and then as head of the section. The development of the Speech
Therapy Service in Croydon to one of the best and most comprehensive in the
country is in large measure due to her energy and enthusiasm. It is with considerable
regret that we see her leave. During 1967 Miss V. M. Connery and
Miss J. Stavenhagen also left, both therapists of experience.
The Senior Therapist is now Mr. John Brook. Mrs. D.K. Proctor, Miss
V.A. Barlow and Miss P.M. Kilford also joined the staff during the year.
These changes have inevitably resulted in a longer waiting list and have
raised other problems where working with children puts stress on familiarity
and continuity.
Speech Therapy in Croydon now has regular clinics at Purley, New
Addington, Sanderstead, Shrublands, Waddon and the Central Clinic at St.
James' Road. There is also the Special Unit for Dysphasic Children at the
West Thornton School and the Special Schools of St. Christopher's and St.
Giles' are served.
The Schools of the Borough and the Junior Training Centre continue to
be visited regularly. Talks have been given on the speech therapy service
to various organisations such as Toddlers' Clubs and Young Wives' Clubs.
The invaluable service of providing practical experience for speech therapy
students also continues.
In April Dr. Stuart Horner, the Deputy Medical Officer of Health together
with Mrs. Wickerson, produced and had published in the Medical Officer, a
paper entitled "A Comprehensive Local Authority Speech Therapy Service."
We are now in the unusual position where half of our staff have been
with us for less than six months. It is hoped that as the settling in is completed
we will provide Croydon with a speech therapy service which will
rival the excellent service of the past.