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The marked decline in the number of asthma cases has done little to ease
the burden on the medical staff, indeed the steady increase in multiple handicapped
children is stretching resources to their limits.
The problem of transport has again been a cause of concern, mainly because
of the length of the journey between home and school; this is particularly
unfortunate for the growing number of incontinent children. However, I
understand that the Authority is aware of the difficulties affecting all special
school transport and have asked the Management Services Officer to carry
out a pilot study at St. Giles' School. Children in wheelchairs pose a separate
problem and require specially adapted vehicles; there is an increasing number
of such children (now over twenty) and the one existing mini-bus can only
carry four at a time.
The School Medical Officer, Dr. Thelma Wield, saw 258 children at routine
medicals, 120 parents being present. At specialist medicals 48 children were
seen by Dr. Fanthorpe or Mr. McQueen and 44 parents were present. Sister
Jordan and her staff were responsible for arrangements and keeping records in
addition to dealing with routine medical matters, 26 major epileptic fits and
the toilet training of 22 incontinent children 4 times per day.
The Speech Therapy Department, despite a reduction in staff, gave 889
treatment sessions, 54 review sessions and 25 informal sessions. During the
year 22 new cases were assessed and 19 cases closed. There were 22 children
having therapy and 15 under supervision.
The Physiotherapy Department has continued to work most efficiently
although cramped for lack of storage space for equipment and apparatus. During
the year chest cases were given 4,155 treatments, cerebral palsy cases 3,529
treatments, spina bifida 4,467 treatments, and there were 2,196 miscellaneous
cases treated, making a grand total of 14,347 treatments.
Without the close cooperation of the Principal School Medical Officer and
his staff it would be impossible for the school to function satisfactorily and
I wish to express my thanks for the support given to St. Giles' throughout the
year.