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22
Handicapped Pupils
Because the Day Special School for Physically Handicapped Pupils at Lower Place is not filled to
capacity, there is no waiting list and suitable pupils can be admitted straightaway. Some children are admitted
after they have been in hospital for short periods to help them become fit to return to an ordinary
school.
CHILD GUIDANCE (Tables 81-82)
The efficiency of the service has been affected by staff changes. Dr. Tait resigned at the end of
April. Two locum psychiatrists covered the clinic from May to December, but each was able to offer only
five sessions per week. The post has now been upgraded to consultant status and it is hoped to have better
continuity in the future.
99 children were referred to the centre for investigation (37 fewer than in 1959). At the end of the
year there were 40 cases awaiting full investigation, which is about the same as last year, which again means
a six months waiting list.
The school phychological service continues to be hard pressed: 354 children were seen during the
year, and the nine month waiting list remains.
School medical officers still make regular monthly visits when cases known to both teams are discussed.
A psychotherapist still attends the maternity and child welfare clinics.
SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE (Table 83)
The number of dental officers at the end of the year was five, a reduction of 1| compared with 1959.
The equivalent of 7/11 orthodontist is an improvement on the figure of 3/11 at the end of 1959 and as a
result the delay in orthodontic treatment has been reduced.
The percentage of children inspected who were found to require treatment shows a very slight increase
over the figure for 1959. (1960: 61%, 1959: 60%)
Acceptance rate is approximately 2.5% less than in 1959 (1960: 46%, 1959: 49%). This is probably
accounted for by larger numbers making private arrangements for treatment. Because of staff shortages
intervals between routine inspections are still much too long.
PRIORITY DENTAL SERVICE (Table 84)
There has been little change during the year in the extent and type of treatment required and
approximately the same proportion of the Dental Officers' time, 11%, has been spent in the inspection and
treatment of the priority groups. Every opportunity is taken to emphasise the importance of diet, oral
hygiene and dental care generally, particularly to expectant and nursing mothers.
CHIROPODY SERVICE (Table 85)
A number of conditions were due to incorrect treatment by the patient—for example, painful toe
nails due to bad cutting. Cotton socks which allow perspiration to evaporate and which can be boiled are
preferable to those of other non-absorbent fabrics which can promote reinfection. Foot deformities are caused
by badly shaped shoes which seem to be worn by many children today. In order that feet may function properly
the shoes must be the same shape as the feet and well fitted. Socks, too, must not cramp the toes and
can be just as damaging as shoes if too small.
Many talks on "The Foot and its Relation to the Shoe" were given to the school children, but cooperation
from the parents would do more to reduce the number of children requiring chiropody treatment.
Advice on foot care is readily available in the clinics, because prevention is as important as cure.
HOME SAFETY
The Willesden Home Safety Committee which was formed in November, 1956, has done valuable
work during the year. It is a voluntary committee which has the support of both the Willesden Borough
and Middlesex County Councils. The Borough Council made a further grant of £100 to the committee's
fund? in the financial year 1960/61.
The committee's aim is to reduce the number of accidents which occur in homes in Willesden,
mostly affecting children under five years and people over 65 years of age. Its terms of reference were outlined
in the report for 1956.
The Willesden Borough Council and 24 local organisations are represented on the committee, which
is affiliated to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and the National Home Safety Committee.
Four committee meetings, three meetings of the 'Handbook' Sub-committee, three meetings of the ' Willesden
Show' Sub-committee and an emergency committee meeting to discuss the water-safety campaign were held
during the year.