London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Walthamstow 1943
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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In January 1944, after a period of 5 months which included the Summer and Christmas holidays the children were tested again with the following result:-
| Group | Reading Age | No. of cases. |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Non-readers | — |
| 2 | 5-6 yrs | 2 |
| 3 | 6-7 yrs | 10 |
| 4 | 7-8 yrs | 7 |
| 5 | 8 plus | 6 |
"Now there are no non-readers. There are only 2 in the next
group. The majority are in group 3 approaching the quickening point
in reading. Children in group 4 are no longer seriously retarded.
Finally those in group 5 can work by themselves and are well on the
way to becoming good readers,"
The Social Worker, Miss M. Russell, reports as follows:-
| Interviews at clinic | 27 |
| Homo visits | 99 |
| Interviews with relatives, Ministers and Youth leaders | 17 |
| Visits to appropriate agencies and Institutions | 9 |
Some correspondence has been necessary in the follow up of
individual cases, Home visits have tended to be lengthy and written
reports have been made on each case.
Scope covered by Home Visits:-
(a) Interpretation within the home of the Psychiatrist's
instructions, educating parents with regard to play therapy, and
co-ordinating play room work with home management.
(b) Personality problems of parents.
(c) Marital maladjustments.
(d) Behaviour problems in children.
(e) Habit training
(f) Evacuation and other war re-actions including problems
arising from absence of father in Forces.
(g) Inadequate homo care due to mothers working.
(h) Discussion of recreational activities and introduction
of children to Youth Centre.
Only a minimum has been done duo to lack of time, and it
becomes increasingly obvious that a part time worker cannot meet
the need.
(vii) Speech Therapy - Miss I.M.S.Knight, the Speech Therapist,
reports as follows:-
"In January 1943 the speech clinic was transferred to the Old
Education Offices, 263 High Street, Walthamstow, where all speech
oases now attend. The number of cases on roll has steadily
increased from 141 in January to 194 at the end of December.
Through pressure of work, school and home visits have had to be
neglected.
"New cases and parents have been seen on each school day after
the close of treatment sessions up to approximately 5 p.m. Results
have been more than satisfactory but I should like to give more time
to the following up of difficult cases which pressure of work at the
clinic does not allow. Discharges over the year were 22, Trial
without treatment 1 (later discharged), Left school over the year 6,
Evacuated 2, Left district 5.
??? Cases for treatment include children with defects of Stammer,
24