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18
There were 74 Home Helps employed at the end of the year. Their rate of pay was increased to
4/4 7/8d. per hour during the year. The charge to the public remained at 4/9d.
Six persons were enrolled to act as Neighbourly Helps, but only three were still employed at the end
of the year.
The number of home visits made by the organisers was 4,603.
DAY NURSERIES
Kilburn Day Nursery, built in connection with the Kilburn Square redevelopment project, admitted
children from 29th July. This new nursery provides 50 additional places bringing the total approved places
in nine day nurseries to 440. All these places have been occupied throughout the year with a high general
daily attendance. The waiting list has increased by 73 per cent.
Eleven students completed the two years' period of training for the N.N.E.B. Course and all passed
the examination and obtained the certificate. Recruitment of suitable trained nursery staff remains difficult.
CONVALESCENCE
Under section 28 of the National Health Service Act, patients recovering from a serious illness or
operation and requiring only rest, fresh air and good food to complete treatment, may be recommended for
a short stay in a convalescent home.
General practitioners, hospitals and clinics make the recommendations, which are sent to the Medical
Officer of Health who arranges suitable homes.
Patients who ask for a reduction in the standard charge of £7 7s. Od. in ordinary homes and
£8 8s. Od. in respect of special category homes, must complete an economic circumstances form and they
are assessed by the Finance Officer. They may also ask for payment, of travelling expenses. 106 adults and
nine children were recommended in 1964.
SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICE
Medical Inspection
Routine medical inspection in schools continued, with the entrants, 7-8 years, 10-11 years, and leavers
age groups again showing a high percentage of children in a satisfactory physical condition.
The question of selective medical inspection has been raised by the Department of Education and
Science and pilot schemes will be operated during the coming year. The object of the scheme is to give
medical staff more time to deal with the child in need rather than examine fit children.
Handicapped Pupils
The Hearing Clinic at Neasden has now been open just over a year and due to the number of cases
referred it has been necessary to apply to the North-West Regional Hospital Board for an additional specialist
session. The facilities of the clinic are also available to children residing in the boroughs of Harrow, Hendon
and Wembley. It is hoped that in the not too distant future classes for partially hearing children will be established
in the district. At present deaf or partially hearing children requiring special educational treatment
attend schools at Heston, Tottenham or in the London County Council area.
CHILD GUIDANCE
This year the establishment of staff has been complete except for psychotherapists where only three
of the 17 sessions are able to be filled. This means that children's difficulties are diagnosed by the team but
the more serious cases are kept waiting for treatment.
By the end of last year three rooms previously used as a dental clinic were ready for use, enabling
all personnel to have separate rooms.
More children (164) were referred in 1964 than ever before, about half being from medical sources
and there were about twice as many boys as girls. The proportion of children referred from the Children's
Department has more than doubled. A disquieting feature is that in over 20 per cent of the cases investigations
were incomplete through non-co-operation of parents who withdrew the case. Unless parents realise that
the child's problems are those of the family, the Child Guidance staff can do little. The waiting list of 26 at
the end of the year is slightly more than last year but not great when compared with other areas.
Close co-operation with the School Health Service was maintained through monthly conferences and
the psychiatrist's visits to school clinics.
SCHOOL AND PRIORITY DENTAL SERVICE
During the year the incidence of dental disease in the population for whose dental care the Local
Authority is responsible, has not diminished.
Of those inspected and found to require treatment a slightly higher percentage has opted to receive
treatment by the Local Authority notwithstanding the fact that the number of practitioners in the General
Dental Service in the area has increased.