View report page

that the incidence of this disease is increasing throughout the country but the evidence in
Hillingdon suggests that the position is fairly static. Nevertheless further steps are being taken to
secure the eradication of this disease in this Borough. Towards the end of the year, two of the
Medical Officers in Department were given extra training in the diagnosis of scabies and, in future,
investigations will be carried out by a special small section of the staff so that professional expertise
on this subject can be further developed. Other medical officers will be seconded for special
training as their duties permit.
Once a case of scabies has been reported to this Department, an inspection of immediate
contacts is made at the child's school and at other schools where siblings may attend. Whenever
a child is confirmed to be suffering from scabies, it is likely that all members of the family may be
infected and the whole family is encouraged to undergo treatment. Health Visitors undertake
visits to homes to explain and supervise the necessary treatment. The co-operation of the family
doctors in these efforts to overcome this condition is very welcome.
VISION DEFECTS
Vision defects still constitute the largest proportion of all defects noted at routine medical
inspections. This year 39.4% of all defects were in this category including 38% with a defect of
visual acuity; the remainder being for squint and other conditions such as conjunctivitis, blepharitis,
etc. The percentage is higher this year than last though the actual numbers are less since fewer
junior routine medical inspections were made; nevertheless it highlights the extreme importance
of keeping the vision of children under constant review. Besides the routine medical inspections,
health visitors examine the visual acuity of all school children in the Borough at 7 years of age,
and again, if necessary, prior to their admission to senior school. These extra inspections are made
to ensure that children will not be prevented from taking full advantage of their education by
inadequate vision. The teachers are also kept aware of children's needs in special circumstances,
and that all children who are issued with spectacles should, of course, wear them.
The School Health Service has its own Ophthalmic Specialists who attend at specified clinics
throughout the Borough, and any child who needs specialist advice and/or treatment may obtain
this easily.
A few children presented with squint among whom most are already having treatment. It is
discouraging to find there are children who have reached the age of 5 years with a squint for
which nothing appears to have been done. The earlier this condition is treated the better, for
successful cure depends upon this.
During the year the number of routine vision tests and results were as follows:
Number of children tested 3,966
Number referred for opinion of School Medical Officer 218
Of these:
63 were referred to the Authority's Ophthalmic Clinics.
35 were referred for treatment via general practitioners, at the request of parents.
43 were deferred for re-examination at School Health Clinics.
34 were considered to have normal vision.
38 were already having ophthalmic treatment.
5 left the area while investigations were proceeding.
Of the 63 children referred to the Authority's Ophthalmic Clinics:
44 were prescribed glasses.
8 were noted for re-examination.
11 were discharged.
Six of the 63 were also referred to the Authority's Orthoptic Clinic.
126