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38
Toddlers Clinics.—In 1936 the Council reviewed their arrangements for
dealing with the care and comfort of the pre-school child, consequent upon the
issue of a circular from the Ministry of Health drawing attention to the number of
children entering school with defects, many of which could have been prevented
from developing or could have been cured if the health of the children had been
adequately supervised during the pre-school period.
Toddlers sessions have been an essential feature of the Woolwich Borough
Council's scheme for the supervision of the pre-school child since May, 1930, but
as a result of the consideration of the circular referred to above, the Council decided
to provide additional sessions for the examination of toddlers, additional facilities
for the treatment of the conditions discovered, and to strengthen the following-up
scheme ; and for these purposes to appoint additional staff—medical, dental, health
visiting and clerical. The enlarged scheme came into operation on the 3rd May.
Toddlers sessions are held twice each week at the Council's main centres at
Woolwich, Plumstead and Eltham. Once a month two sessions are held at New
Eltham, and it is possible in addition to examine a few toddlers at morning sessions
at the Slade and North Woolwich Centres.
Children are examined in their birthday months, aged 2, 3 and 4 years. The
examinations follow the lines of the school medical examinations, and they are
recorded in a similar way on modified record cards. Children requiring observation
are called up for review at intervals of a few months, and arrangements are made
for those who require treatment. All of these are followed up by the health
visitors.
So far as treatment is concerned, increased provision has been made for the
treatment of minor ailment cases and dental cases, and an Ear, Nose and Throat
Clinic has been established. Additional professional and clerical appointments
have been made.
The findings at the medical examinations are summarised in the Table No. 12
which follows. These figures differ but little from those of previous years and
their significance has been discussed in previous Annual Reports.