View report page

21
Audiometry (Tables 80-81)
Almost twice the number of children were tested as a routine in 1957 as compared with 1956. This
was due to the inclusion in the scheme of another age group, namely, the six to seven-year olds. A second
audiometer operator for five sessions per week was appointed.
A greater number of requests for special tests were received in 1957 from medical officers, speech
therapists, etc., than in the previous year.
Handicapped Pupils (Tables 86-88)
A senior day school for partially deaf pupils was opened at Tottenham. Prior to this opening,
only residential placement was available for children due for transfer from junior partially deaf units and
who could not attend an ordinary school.
The waiting list for admission to the Leinster Day Special School is still large and it is unlikely to
be reduced while the school is housed in its present premises.
The waiting period for all types of other special schools has been considerably reduced, and in most
cases a vacancy is obtained by the end of the term in which the child is referred.
CHILD GUIDANCE (Tables 89 and 89a)
Dr. Higgins resigned from his post at the end of August, 1957. Dr. Stein then acted as locum tenens
for four sessions per week, until he was appointed to the post in December for seven sessions per week,
Treatment is mainly carried out by the psychiatrist and two part-time psychotherapists conducting
regular weekly sessions for the children, assisted by the two full-time psychiatric social workers, who hold
regular meetings with the parents. Shorter methods of treatment, up to six interviews, have been used for a
number of children.
The meetings with Assistant Medical Officers and health visitors at the Child Guidance Centre, and
the psychotherapists at the maternal and child welfare clinics, have helped to resolve problems at an early
stage and much useful preventive work has been done. Joint conferences at the Centre were held not only
with the health staff of the other clinics, but also with probation officers, welfare officers, speech therapists,
etc. Groups of health visitors, psychologists and nurses also visited the Centre as part of their training
scheme.
RHEUMATISM (Tables 90 and 91)
The Rheumatism Clinic was held one Tuesday in each month at the Willesden Health Clinic for the
whole area. Rheumatism can be a serious disease requiring prolonged treatment, and unfortunately may
result in permanent heart damage with consequent interference with normal physical activities: children so
affected may have to attend a special school for years.
At the Rheumatism Clinic the family history and the environment conditions are investigated,
consultations with specialists are arranged as required, advice on physical training and games is given, and
convalescence recommended.
The Public Health Department dealt with dampness in 12 cases when the condition was reported to
exist. 21 of the 33 children attending the Clinic during the year were found to belong to Social Group IV
and V.
SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE (Table 92)
There has been a steady increase in the number of Dental Officers from an average of 5 in 1955 to
6½ in 1957. In addition there was the equivalent of half an orthodontist.
In February, 1952 a restricted scheme was introduced, because of shortage of staff and accommodation,
which dealt with children up to 9 years of age (approximately 10,000 children). In June, 1956 it was
possible to raise the age limit to 13 years (18,000 children). Of these, 17,550 received a routine dental
inspection, and 1,594 special cases were also inspected, a total of 19,144; 13,193 (69%) were referred for
treatment, and of these 6,139 (46.5%) actually received treatment at the clinics.
An average of 2.5 fillings and .76 extractions were carried out for each child treated, compared with
2.4 fillings and .86 extractions in 1956.
In 201 orthodontic sessions, 437 cases made 1,628 attendances.
In the course of the year 143 evening sessions were carried out by full-time Dental Officers.