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The work has been complicated by the number of immigrant children whose parents are unable to
speak English and are unable to appreciate the importance of correcting serious refractive errors to the
children's educational future".
We have been pleased to welcome during the year Dr. R. Peswani, M.B., B.S., D.O., who took over
the appointment of consulting ophthalmologist at the Weston Park Clinic, Hornsey, replacing Dr. Robert
Welch, who retired in 1965 through ill-health. Dr. Peswani reports:-
"There was considerable arrears of work at the clinic after Dr. Robert Welch retired through ill-health.
This was completed with some extra sessions by end of the year. It is now back to normal with 2 sessions
a week on Monday and Wednesday afternoons.
During the year, there were 1096 total attendances as under:-
Under 5 years Over 5 years
Total attendances 116 980
New cases 48 182
Errors of Refraction 19 584
Other defects 18 16
Glasses ordered 7 229
As the figures show, most of the work is refractive. Other defects found mostly consisted of squint,
amblyopia, conjunctivtis, blepharitis etc. It is unfortunate there is no orthoptist at the clinic, consequently
cases with manifest squint, after refraction and correction of error, were referred to some hospital for
orthoptic and/or surgical treatment. It will be a really great help if the services of an orthoptist can be
obtained even for just 1 session a week".
Cerebral Palsy Unit
The Cerebral Palsy Unit associated with Vale Road School for Physically Handicapped Children is
a centre to which mothers are referred for advice and children for treatment, as soon as a diagnosis of
cerebral palsy has been made. Dr. William Dunham, the consultant in charge of the Unit, attends once
a week. A physiotherapist and an occupational therapist are attached to the school, and give treatment
under the direction of the visiting consultant. A speech therapist is also available to give treatment
in suitable cases.
I am grateful to Mr. A.J. Ives, the headmaster of the school, and to his staff, for their continued
co-operation during the year with the medical staff. It is no easy task to reconcile the educational
needs of the children with their need for medical treatment.
Of the five new cases seen during 1966, three were Haringey children and two were from the London
Borough of Enfield. Four of these children were under five years and one was over five years old. The
recommendations made in respect of the new cases were as follows:-
Recommended admission to Vale Road Special School 1
Recommended admission to a day nursery 1
Referred for further investigation of intellectual ability 2
Referred for re-examination in one year. 1
I am indebted to Dr. William Dunham for the following report:-
"During the year, out of the 94 children attending the School, there have been 28 children with
Cerebral Palsy, a proportion of 30%. The aim in providing for these children is to make sure that they
have the help they need in gaining good habits of posture and movement. The School has a full-time
Cerebral Palsy Therapist who works closely with the parents and the teachers to ensure that each child
has consistent handling throughout his waking hours. The Consultant. Dr. William Dunham, visits the
School each week to discuss with the therapist, the parents and the teachers the requirements of
individual children: the School Doctor and Nurse attend on these occasions to deal with any general
medical problems which may arise. A new therapy room has been provided during the year and this enables
posture and movement training to be carriea out under much improved conditions.
The School receives many visitors and plays an important part in the training of many different kinds
of worker in the Welfare State. On the Education side, visits have been made during the year by students
from the Trent Park Training College, the Staff Training College for House Parents. National Children's
Home. Highbury, and the Institute of Education Course for Mature Teachers. London University.
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