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52
I am grateful to Mr. D.B. Pettman for the following report: -
St. Giles' Special School for Physically Handicapped and
Delicate Children
This year has been marked by a considerable change in the school
population. Seventeen pupils left to employment or further education;
twenty pupils transferred to other schools and three puDils died. There
were thirty-one admissions during the year, the majori'ty being heavily
handicapped children of infant age

The rising incidence of Spina Bifida cases, now the second largest
group of physically handicapped in the school, is changing the character
of the school. Already alterations have been made to existing lavatory
arrangements to cater for the increased number of wheelchairs, and the
medical staff and infant teachers are hard pressed to deal with the heavy
demands made by these children.
The estimate of approx. 40 spina bifida cases in the school by the mid
seventies poses many problems. There is already congestion in the corridors
and lavatories with the present number of wheelchairs. The possibility of
double the number of chairs calls for considerable modifications within the
school. Furniture and fittings throughout the school will need adapting to
suit wheelchair cases. Additional auxiliary staff will be necessary to deal
with the problem of movement of children and adequate transport arrangements
will have to be made. It is urgent that plans be made now to deal with
these problems in order that further obstacles are not placed in the already
difficult lives of these children.
During the year routine medical examinations were held by Dr. Thelma
Wield and 338 children were seen, 139 parents being present. Specialist
medical examinations were held by Mr. MacQueen who saw 20 children, 18
parents being present; Dr. Fanthorpe, who saw 33 children, 17 parents being
present and Dr. Robson who saw 20 children, 19 parents being present. The
arrangements for the medical examinations and the keeping of detailed
records were made by Sister and her staff in addition to dealing with routine
medical matters and 46 major epileptic fits.