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Pre-school Medical Inspection (Toddlers' Clinics).
Toddlers' Clinics are held fortnightly at each centre. The total attendances at these
clinics were 464, 252 at the Manor House and 212 at the Branch Centre. (See Appendix,
Tables XIV, XV, XVI, XVII, and XVIII.)
The general physical condition of children under five years of age in Southall is
on the whole satisfactory as the defects found, although apparently large in number, contain
many of a minor degree which are present fortuitously at the time of examination and
are quickly remedied.
Many children were selected during the year for treatment at the remedial exercise
classes where defects of posture and slight deformities are corrected by specially arranged
courses of exercise. Beneficial results are achieved in early cases and small defects prevented
from having serious debilitating effects in later life.
Treatment is arranged by the department for all defects found, and parents are
very happy to take advantage of the facilities.
Treatment.
Cases of acute illness, and of chronic illness where indicated, are referred to their
own doctors for treatment. For certain illness the following arrangements have been
made with London and local hospitals:—
Defect. Hospital.
Tonsils and Adenoids King Edward Hospital, Ealing, but during the war, St. Bernard's
Hospital treat these defects.
Orthopaedic conditions North Road School Clinic.
Orthoptic „ Western Ophthalmic Hospital, Marylebone Road.
Rheumatic ,, Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, W.C.
Child guidance West End Hospital for Nervous Diseases, Welbeck Street, W.I.
Deafness Metropolitan Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital.
There are disadvantages in this variety of hospitals, but with the geographical
position of Southall some disadvantages are unavoidable. Help is given with payment
of fares if the family income is below a certain scale.
A system of following-up has been instituted whereby the health visitors make
enquiries to see if the proper treatment has been carried out and, if not, steps are taken to
persuade the parent to obtain the necessary treatment.
Voluntary Workers.
The Voluntary Workers' Association has continued in spite of wartime difficulties
to supply helpers for the clinics where they do much useful work. This service given so
generously and in so public-spirited a manner makes for the easier running of busy clinics,
and the Health Department Staff appreciated it very much.
Government Evacuation Scheme.
During the year, Southall was scheduled as an evacuation area and facilities were
provided for mothers with young children, parties of schoolchildren and individual expectant
mothers to obtain accommodation in safe areas. These arrangements were made very
hurriedly but an endeavour was made to have as many of the evacuees as possible examined
medically and for cleanliness.
1,852 were examined and 9 found to be in need of special medical attention at the
reception end; 123 were found to be suffering from scabies or vermin infestation and were
cleansed before travelling.
Remedial Exercises.
Two afternoon sessions of special Margaret Morris Movement exercises are held
each week at the Branch Health Centre. The duration of the session is two hours, the
first half being devoted to children and the second to expectant mothers.
This clinic is of considerable value for children with mild degrees of bone deformity,
i.e., knock knees, bow legs, flat feet, etc. Minor forms of these complaints are treated
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