View report page

SPEECH THERAPY
Mrs. J. Shakeshaft—Senior Speech Therapist
During most of 1970 the speech therapy section has been fully staffed with 1 senior and
2 full-time therapists. In August 1970, Mrs. Loma Dixon left Ruislip area to go to Oxford and she
was replaced by three part-time staff, Mrs. Margaret Thomas at Northwood, Ruislip Gardens
School and Ickenham; Mrs. Mariane Robson at Ruislip Manor and West Mead; and Mrs. Shirley
Woods at Harefield. In November, 1970, Mrs. Gill McCord left Hayes and West Drayton area
to take up a post in High Wycombe where she lives. Her post is as yet unfilled. The Senior Speech
Therapist left in December 1970 and her post was also unfilled. This shows the instability of a
virtually all female profession and the necessity to employ part time workers who still have family
commitments. There appear to be relatively few speech therapists living in the Borough, however,
and most of these are in Ruislip/Northwood area.
During the year 481 school children and 106 pre-school children have made a total of 4,029
visits to speech therapy clinics. Due to insufficient staff the senior has been carrying a full case
load, and this means each full-time therapist has the responsibility of 100 children, approximately
50 seen weekly, 50 on review. These numbers are too great and put far too much pressure on the
staff. Added to this there is an approximate waiting list of 80. This is very bad because pre-school
children are not receiving the immediate consultation necessary to alleviate parental anxiety.
A request for the establishment to be built up to 1 senior and 3½ full-time therapists is proceeding,
but clearly depends on recruitment to existing posts. At present speech therapy is
undertaken in 21 places each week, covering 12 clinics, 3 special classes, 3 special schools,
1 school, 1 unit and 1 training centre.
All the special classes and special schools, including the Junior Training Centre, in the
Borough are visited by the speech therapy staff and although there is insufficient time allocated
to these schools, it is hoped to treat the severe cases and advise staff and parents.
Good personal contact with schools where the patients attend is encouraged, and the speech
therapists always find they are welcome visitors. Good contacts are also maintained with Educational
Psychologists, Health Visitors, Physiotherapists and administrative staff.
There is a need for improved contact with school doctors together with case discussions.
132