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Surveys
The department has taken part in a number of surveys in association with various
research bodies during the year. These include a survey into children suffering from
Spina Bifida (Greater London Council); nutrition survey of pre-school children
(Ministry of Health); nutrition survey of pregnant women (Ministry of Health); study
of children in temporary foster placement (Tavistock Institute of Human Relations);
Home Office field tests carried out by health visitors on infants' nightdresses; investigation
into the possible virus aetiology of mental deficiency (St. George's Hospital
Medical School, London).
Phenylketonuria
A simple urine test can detect this rare but very distressing disease in the first few
weeks, when it is amenable to treatment. The test is now available for all children
born in the borough and is performed by the health visitor.
No tests were positive. It is interesting to note that a child whose re-action to this
test in 1964 was positive and as a result was immediately admitted to hospital is
reported by the health visitor to be "a delightful little fellow of apparently normal
intelligence". This child's sister born in October 1966, was admitted to hospital on
the third day in view of her brother's history. She was confirmed as being positive
to the test on the sixth day. The child is still under observation by the hospital.
Early Detection of Deafness
In order that children who are deaf can benefit from auditory training, testing for
hearing is done by the health visitor during the first year.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum
(See page 48).
Child Welfare Centres
At the end of the year, there were 12 child welfare centres. (For location of
centres etc. see map inside the cover at the end of the report). One centre has 4 sessions
a week, two have three sessions a week, 6 have two sessions a week, 3 have one session
a week.
To augment the above the arrangement made with Surrey County Council for the
use of its mobile clinic was continued. Five sessions in alternate weeks are held at sites
in Hampton, Twickenham and Whitton.
For details of attendances etc. during the year see page 22.
Opening of New Clinic—Ham
His Worship the Mayor, Alderman H. A. Leon, M.B.E., J.P., officially opened this
clinic on the 21st September, 1966. It replaced two former clinics. The building has
been designed and constructed to meet modern requirements and provides on the
ground floor an entrance hall, reception area, offices, speech therapy unit, health
visitors' unit, doctors' rooms, ante-natal care, infant welfare, and school clinic facilities.
The first floor comprises a complete dental unit and a flat. Photograph on page 20.
Orthopaedic Service
Of the 67 children under five years of age treated at the Orthopaedic Clinic
during the year, 19 were new cases seen by the surgeon, 48 were re-examinations at
the surgeon's clinic. These children made 87 attendances.
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