London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Kingston upon Thames 1971
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kingston-upon-Thames]
This page requires JavaScript
113
Ophthalmic Clinics
During the year 1762 children were examined at the school
eye clinics; 443 were prescribed glasses, which were dispensed by
National Health Service opticians. Immediately after children obtain
their spectacles they are re-examined at the eye clinics. Children
requiring orthoptic treatment are referred to hospital. Vision
testing of all school children is carried out at the time of their
routine medical examinations, and also at thirteen years of age.
Audioloigy
The following are details of work undertaken in schools:
| Children sweep tested: Primary 3114 | |
| Secondary 1415 | |
| Special 47 | 4576 |
| Children who failed test: Primary 247 | |
| Secondary 78 | |
| Special 2 | 327 |
| Result of Investigations by School Medical Officers: No significant hearing loss on clinical examination | 49 |
| No significant hearing loss, but child appears mentally retarded | 1 |
| Hearing loss confirmed and attributed to: (i) Catarrhal condition (with or without inflammation of ear) | 33 |
| (ii) Old otitis media | 8 |
| (iii) Injury | 2 |
| (iv) Other causes | 24 |
| (v) Undetermined causes | 4 |
| Investigations incomplete at end of year | 1 |
| Investigations not possible - left district or otherwise unavailable for examination | 4 |
| Recommendations by School Medical Officers in the first instance: (i) No action required | 13 |
| (ii) For observation only | 72 |
| (iii) Refer to audiology clinic | 21 |
| (iv) Refer to general practitioner | 14 |
| (v) Refer to ear, nose and throat consultant | 8 |