London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Haringey 1971

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Haringey]

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The following report has been supplied jointly by an orthoptist and a senior technician:—
"This method of vision testing is both accurate and quick. It takes an average of 2 minutes each child for detailed
testing, including depth, perception, distant and near vision, distant and near muscle balance, also colour vision.
The test can be conducted in quite restricted space with the children looking directly into the Keystone for all
parts of the test.
The first Keystone test is carried out on all children in the Borough aged 9 and 10 years, prior to medical
examination by selection, and then at age 11/12, and at 15/16 years, so that eye defects can be detected before
the concentrated learning period of the older pupil. However, it is proposed by the Principal School Medical
Officer that as from September 1972, one senior school from each area in Haringey be selected and the 1st, 3rd
and 5th year children be tested. It will then be possible to ascertain if any children who pass the test in the 3rd
year, fail in the 5th year. It will take three years to show any results. The ideal would be that each child should
have a test at least every two years but this would require another Keystone and more staff.
An appropriate assessment of failure is 1 in 6 — about 17%. The Keystone has been found to be impractical for
vision screening below the age of 10 years".

During 1971, the follow-up by orthoptists of Keystone screening "Failures" gave the following results:—

Junior SchoolsSenior Schools
Number% (of Keystone "Failures")Number% (of Keystone "Failures")
Keystone "Failures" referred to Orthoptist331-430
Confirmed as failures by Orthoptist —2387236986
Already receiving treatment672018142
Minor defects not requiring treatment782410123
Referred to ophthalmic clinic for investigation93288720

Speech Therapy
Mrs. E.R.P. McKeown, senior speech therapist, reports as follows: —
"For most of the year one full time and six part time therapists have together practically filled the approved
establishment of four full time therapists. Sessions have continued at eight school clinics, the Vale School and the
William C. Harvey Special School and during the year a new clinic was established at the Moselle E.S.N. School.
Student therapists have attended four clinics for practical training under the supervision of resident therapists.
Numbers attending in 1971
Under five years 921
Over five years 3,888
Total 4,809
Therapists have visited schools regularly with the intention of seeing all reception classes, the newly established
nursery groups and any other children referred by teachers. The Borough has a high incidence of immigrants and
it has become noticeable during the year that more children from this group, particularly the very young, are
being referred with delayed language development. But now that more secondary schools are being visited, it is not
uncommon to find that older immigrant children are being referred for help in improving sub-standard English.
This poses an interesting question whether the requirement is for therapy or special education.
In the past two years regular visiting of schools and counselling of parents have become well established and the
requirement for therapy services can now be better assessed. It is apparent that certain areas of the service need
strengthening and this can only be effectively achieved by an increase in the establishment."
Child Guidance Service
The Borough has two child guidance centres under the administration of the Chief Education Officer (at Lordship
Lane, Tottenham and at Tetherdown, Hornsey). Two Consultant Psychiatrists, who are seconded by the regional
hospital boards, act as medical directors — Dr. Nina Meyer carrying out five weekly sessions at the Tottenham
Clinic and Dr. K. Graf holding two sessions at the Hornsey Clinic. Dr. Meyer reports as follows on the year's work
at Lordship Lane:—
75