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6
Education therefore, is more difficult and complex Not only
must formal education be given (a slow process at best under
such circumstances) but the child must be taught to overcome
and live with his handicap. Diligent search must be made for
residual skills and their careful nurture in preparation for
vocational training. It can therefore be seen that the
responsibilities are great.
With all the devotion and skill given to these children
there still remains a few areas of further development in
this field. The future will see more concentration on earlier
diagnosis and assessment of these children necessitating a
skilled co ordinated team made up of various disciplines.
I would endorse the observations made by Mr. Harvey and
Dr. Poole upon the need for an integrated welfare service for
the handicapped school leavers. Very many of these pupils
will remain permanently and substantially handicapped for the
rest of their lives and will continue to need informed medical
supervision and help in managing their lives and work. Ten
years or more of continuous observation and knowledge of the
child s potential is lost when the welfare and responsibility
for the child is relinquished when he leaves school.
statistics. On page 45 will be found a comparison of the
major defects discovered in the years 1951 to 1961. On the
whole, there have been very little changes in incidence, but
a few conditions show an increase and some a decrease. Skin
defects are more than twice that of 1951 and defects of
vision and squint increased from 8.3 to 14.8 per cent. The
reason for the latter is that yearly eye tests have nop been
instituted and the increase is due r,imply to the greater numbers
examined during the year. It will be noted with satisfaction
that ear disease orthopaedic and heart defects have been
more than halved during this last decade, thanks to various
immunisation procedures and the advent of more effective
antibiotics.
I wish to express my thanks to the Chairman and Committee
for Education for their encouragement and to all the staff for
their loyal support during the year.
I am.
Your obedient Servant,
M. WATKINS
Divisions/ School Medical Officer.