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Treatment Facilities
The improvements in treatment facilities provided direct by the service and foreshadowed in the
previous year's report were maintained, and there were dramatic increases in the number of children
treated by the service. The success of the experimental enuresis clinic together with the considerable
waiting list for treatment justified the opening of a second clinic during the year.
The number of children treated at the orthopaedic clinic supervised by one of the school medical
officers increased very significantly, and the staffing improvements in the speech therapy service
were reflected by a 66% increase in the number of children treated.
The appointment to the second consultant psychiatrist post at the child guidance clinic which
was advertised at the end of the year will result in a considerable extension in the facilities available
for children with behaviour disorders. It was apparent from comments by many school medical
officers that the need for additional specialist advice in this field was particularly acute and thanks
are due to the North West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board for their interest and understanding
of these problems.
Dental Service
The appointment of a second senior dental officer represented a further increase in the specialist
expertise available to the dental services. During the year the chief dental officer obtained an honorary
clinical assistant appointment at the London Hospital dental school whilst each of the two senior
dental officers obtained similar appointments at University College Hospital. These appointments not
only confirmed the high level of clinical expertise but also ensured that comprehensive facilities
were available for Hillingdon children requiring advanced forms of dentistry.
The number of dental inspections completed during the year increased by 1% but the percentage
of children inspected who required treatment also increased so emphasising in particularly dramatic
local form the problems presented by the current epidemic of dental disease in this country. Although
the amount of treatment provided similarly increased often exceeding the additional proportion of
treatment sessions available it can hardly be expected that the treatment services can meet known
needs. The service in Hillingdon is seeking to provide more specialised forms of children's dentistry
for those whose dental needs do not seem to be met by other dental services available locally.
Since the latter are particularly well developed in this Borough this policy seems more appropriate
than their duplication by the school dental service.
Vermin Infestation
The number of children examined by school nurses during the year again increased and the
number of children found to be infested rose by 29%. The return of this condition, like the increased
prevalence of scabies, is part of a national trend. Early identification and prompt treatment of these
conditions which once appeared to have been completely eradicated remain the only practical
solution. The continued vigilance of the school nurses in their conscientious attention to this important
work is particularly to be congratulated.
Health Education
The appointment of a health education officer to assist Mrs. Mahy allowed the continued
expansion of this important work during the year. A study day for teachers was over-subscribed and
reflected the growing interest in health teaching in schools. One of the senior dental officers and the
dental auxiliary assisted in the development of dental health programmes which were particularly
well received in primary schools. Their emphasis upon practical participation helped to demonstrate
to the children that health education is not merely a useful subject, it is also an interesting one.
Special Education
There is a wide-spread view amongst parents of handicapped children that placement in
ordinary schools is to be encouraged and increased, apparently to the exclusion of provision in
special schools. A doctrinaire approach to such a complex problem is totally inappropriate since
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