London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Sutton 1968
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Sutton]
This page requires JavaScript
SPECIAL SERVICES
(a) Audiology Service
The early diagnosis of children with partial hearing is essential if normal
progress is to be achieved in the development of speech and the child's education.
The great majority of cases are diagnosed by hearing screening tests before the
child begins school. Those children initially referred on account of speech defects
which may be associated with partial deafness have a routine hearing test by the
audiometrician before speech therapy is commenced and all pupils have a further
screening test during their second year at school. Those children who show any
defect in hearing are referred to the school medical officer who decides whether
it is necessary for them to be referred for further investigation and treatment.
The co-operation of teachers in this respect is much appreciated.
| 1969 | 1968 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| New Cases supplied with hearing aids | 9 | 2 | (6) |
| Pupils registered as having been fitted with hearing aids | 41 | 35 | (37) |
| Total Number of children seen by Audiometrician | 2191 | 2156 | (2095) |
| Number found to have defective hearing of varying degree and referred to School Medical Officers for further investigation | 116 | 262 | (166) |
(b) Speech Therapy
Speech Therapy Clinics were held at Priory Crescent Clinic, North Cheam;
Rochester Road, Carshalton; Green Wrythe Lane, Carshalton; Shotfield, Wallington;
and Robin Hood Lane, Sutton.
The total number of children treated for Speech Therapy
during the year 1969 was 262
(220)
The total number of children treated for Speech Therapy
during the year 1968 was 279
One of the Speech Therapists carried out 3 (4) sessions weekly at Carew
Manor E.S.N. School.
(c) Child Guidance Service
The staff of the Child Guidance Clinic work closely with their colleagues
in other sections of the Health and Family Services and Education Departments
and with Probation Officers, psychiatric colleagues in Hospitals and particularly
closely with general medical practitioners. Educational Psychologists
working in the School Psychological Service are based at the Child Guidance Clinic
thus creating a closely integrated service. Because of the nature of the work
- 81 -