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"There are still a great number of children coming up with
lazy posture who can stand perfectly straight when addressed
in the stentorian tone of the Army Sergeant Major, and these
cases should be regarded as the responsibility of the school rather
than the Orthopaedic Surgeon. The cause of this defect of
posture is an attitude of mind, not an organic deformity, and is
much better treated at school than in the atmosphere of a clinic.
"There has been a considerable amount of absenteeism
during the year, sometimes amounting to as much as 30% of the
attendances, mainly due to the non-attendance of extra district
children. This is quite a serious state of affairs, because it shows
a considerable lack of parental responsibility, quite apart from
the fact that it upsets organisation of clinics and the smooth
function of the appointment system. It is not easy to see what
can be done about this sort of thing, but some attempt at propaganda
in this respect should be made in the coming year.
"Children requiring in-patient treatment are now taken into
the Southern Hospital, Dartford, and there is quite a short waiting
list. There have been several complaints about the distance
that has to be travelled, but it should be remembered that this
is the only Orthopaedic Hospital in the area, until further
reorganisation occurs.
"The general impression of the year's work is that a considerable
number of children in Bromley who were crooked are
now straight, and have been fitted out for a useful and happy
life as the result of the efforts of the Orthopaedic Service,
especially of the excellent work of Mrs. Urwin, the Physiotherapist."
OPHTHALMIC CLINIC.
(See Table III, Group II.)
Dr. Eric Lyle reports as follows:—
"During the past year one very useful stride in the efficiency
of the Eye Clinic has been made; that is, that the Waiting List
for new cases has been completely abolished. Cases referred
from the School Medical examinations and from the Welfare
Services, etc., can now be dealt with as soon as requests are
received. This has been made possible by holding three Clinics
per week, and is a very real step in the right direction.
"The cases for re-inspection and review are not in quite so
happy a position, but the delay has been considerably reduced.
Every effort is being made to reduce it still further, and one
hopes that in the future it may be possible to bring the delay
down to the same state as the conditions now prevailing for new
cases.