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Specialist Clinic Sessions
Children suffering from defects were referred to specialist clinics as follows:
Ophthalmic 171 new cases
578 attendances
51 spectacles prescribed
Ear, Nose and Throat 26 new cases
96 attendances
Orthopaedic 42 new cases
154 attendances
Clinic Premises
Of the 20 clinics in the borough, 12 are purpose-built, five are in adapted
premises and three are in rented premises.
The health centre to be built in Hertford Road will replace one of the clinics
in adapted premises, and work on this new health centre is expected to commence
in 1968.
Under the Ten-Year Plan, which was revised during the year, it is proposed
to replace another of the clinics in adapted premises in 1968 and one of the clinics
in rented premises in 1969. The plan also provides for the replacement of a clinic
in rented premises in 1971 and one in adapted premises in 1972; the two remaining
clinics in adapted premises are planned to be replaced between 1973 and 1977. It
is intended that, wherever possible and desirable, these clinics should be replaced
by the provision of accommodation in new health centres.
The minor improvements to St. Stephen's and Rosemary Avenue Clinics were
completed in 1967.
Welfare Foods, Vitamin Supplements and Medicaments
The distribution of dried milk, cod liver oil, orange juice and vitamin tablets,
obtained through the Ministry of Health, has been continued at the council's clinics
throughout the year, involving the collection of nearly £7,250 in sales and the issue
of 9,901 tins of National Dried Milk, 3,411 bottles of cod liver oil, 3,743 packets
of vitamins A and D, and 80,567 bottles of orange juice. In addition, various
brands of proprietary dried milk, cereals and vitamin preparations, recommended
by medical officers in particular cases, were available in the clinics, and the total
sales amounted to some £19,780.
In Circular L.H.A.L. 23/67 the Minister of Health drew attention to the many
families in the low income groups who were not taking advantage of the free
supplies to which they are entitled under the welfare foods scheme. Consequently,
the appropriate staff of this department were asked to encourage and assist any
such families to do so.
In Circular L.H.A.L. 26/67 the Minister gave details of a new pack for
National Dried Milk and re-emphasised the importance of using a dried milk
fortified with extra Vitamin D, such as the National Dried Milk, in preference to
ordinary liquid milk, where breast feeding was not possible.
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