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SCHOOL HEALTH
Ear, nose and
thotat clinics
At Edmonton Central Clinic one or two sessions each month were held,
depending upon the number of patients to be seen. At Southbury Clinic,
because fewer patients were being referred, sessions were held during
alternate weeks instead of weekly. The consultants at both clinics hold
local hospital appointments.
For many years a weekly session had been held at Broomfield Park Clinic.
Following the unfortunate death of the consultant on 4th August, and
because the Regional Hospital Board could not provide a replacement, it
was necessary to discontinue holding sessions. Alternative arrangements
were made for the 33 children on the register.
Ophthalmic clinics
Three sessions each week continue to be held at Southbury Clinic and two
essions every other week at Bowes Road Clinic.
At Edmonton Central Clinic the number of sessions per week was reduced
at the end of November from three to two. This reduction was associated
with the retirement of the consultant, who, fortunately, was prepared to
continue attendance at the clinic twice a week.
Orthoptic clinics
Treatment continues, as in previous years, to be provided by a full-time
orthoptist attending the three ophthalmic clinics in the Borough and treating
those children referred to her by the ophthalmologists. Both pre-operative
and post-operative treatment is provided.
Orthopaedic clinic
New referrals to this clinic were more than double those for the previous
year. Two sessions a month were therefore held.
Foot deformities, knock knees, postural defects and suspected congenital
hip deformities in babies continued to be the main defects referred, but in
one case a child was found to be suffering from muscular dystrophy and was
transferred to hospital. Children requiring physiotherapy attend hospital
for this purpose.
The services of a part-time physiotherapist continued to be available, and
treatment was given on two mornings a week to children at Hazelbury Open
Air School, twice a week at Durants School for Educationally Sub-normal
children, and twice a week at the Junior Training School.
One hundred and fourteen children suffering from asthma, bronchitis,
cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, foot and postural defects received a
total of 3,800 treatments.
Speech clinics
The number of sessions normally held each week at eight clinic premises
and at the special schools was unavoidably reduced following the resignation
in September of one of the full-time speech therapists, for whom no
replacement could be secured. As a result, waiting lists for treatment
unfortunately lengthened, and the ultimate effect is reflected in the statistical
table.
Defects treated by the speech therapists may be placed broadly in one of
three categories: retarded speech and language development; articulation
difficulties; stammer.
Four students from the Oldrey-Fleming School of Speech Therapy attended
the Central Clinic for varying periods for practical training
Some children of average intelligence but with severe speech defects would
benefit from intensive speech therapy and special teaching. Unfortunately,
however, the number of places available in special residential schools
throughout the country is inadequate, and the waiting time for admission is
very long indeed. Some authorities, therefore, have established small units
attached to, or in close proximity to, ordinary schools. Here, the children
receive the intensive therapy they need and can also, so far as is possible,
be integrated into the ordinary life of the school. The possibility of such
a local unit warrants further consideration.
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