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30
SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE.
During the year the School Medical Service was somewhat
interfered with at the outbreak of war. Some of the children were
evacuated to reception areas and there was uncertainty regarding
the future activities of the Service. For the first few weeks of
the war four of the six Health Centres in the Borough were used
as First Aid Posts and the members of the nursing staff were also
on duty at these Posts, preparing to receive casualties, training
volunteers and at the same time attempting to deal with any urgent
school medical work that was presented. "The Health Centres at
Mattock Lane and Cherington House did not cease to function but
owing to the transference of staff to other duties only urgent
school medical matters were dealt with.
Soon after the outbreak of war every effort was taken to
continue as far as practicable the work of the School Medical Service
After the first week dental treatment was continued normally
until, on the 20th November, one of the School Dentists was called
up for military service, when the remaining two dentists divided
the sessions between them. It became necessary afterwards to
engage the services of a part-time dental surgeon to deal with the
number of cases requiring treatment. The treatment of mothers
was carried on in the same manner as before the war.
Ophthalmic treatment was resumed at the beginning of
October. Dr. Graeme Talbot, the Ophthalmic Surgeon,"was
called up for military service, and Dr. Audrey Henson, who was
nominated by Dr. Talbot, took his place. Dr. Henson shortly
afterwards resigned and Dr. J. G. Freeman Heal took up the
position. Two sessions were held weekly, one at Mattock Lane
Centre and one at Ravenor Park Centre.
Orthopaedic treatment was temporarily interrupted because
Mr. Seddon, the visiting surgeon from the Royal National Orthopaedic
Hospital, was fully engaged at the Stanmore Hospital, which
was assigned a position in the hospital emergency scheme and could
not undertake the treatment of children. Subsequently, however, it
was possible to recommence the Orthopaedic Clinic, but up to the present
sessions have only been held at the rate of eight in the year
instead of twenty-two before the war. Miss Hepburn, the masseuse,
resumed sessions in October and has continued holding four sessions