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REPORT ON THE WORK OP THE PAEDIATRIC CLINIC
by
E. Hinden, M.D., M.R.C.P.
The work of the Paediatric Consultative Clinics, now under the control of the West
Ham Hospital Management Committee has continued on the lines laid down in previous years.
The great bulk of the children have been referred by the School Medical Officers, but
other specialist clinics, and some general practitioners, have also sent patients for a
second opinion. The work is still being done in the school clinics of the Education
Committee, which are conveniently situated for the children and their parents, and where the
children feel at home. The pathology department at Whipps Cross Hospital, and the x-ray
department at St. Mary's Hospital continue to offer us their facilities, a great boon which
enhances the value of the clinics.
There has been a noticeable falling-off in the numbers seen during the past year.
This is partly due to a diminution in the chronic diseases of childhood. In particular,
rheumatic fever, with its serious heart complications, is much less frequent than it was
even 5 years ago; asthma, too, seems to have lessened both in frequency and in violence.
On the whole, the health of the children seems as good as ever. Another reason for the
falling numbers, is that the bulge in the school population, caused by the high post-war
birth rate, has now reached the years 8-10, an age group which is free from infantile
disorders, and not yet a prey to the troubles of adolescence. It is possible, too, that
with the passing of the 'bulge', the children are seen more regularly on entry than they
were, and I have noticed that almost all the children attending the clinic for the first
time are aged 5-6.
I can see, too, that the patient work of the Child Welfare Clinics is bearing fruit.
There are fewer referrals from these clinics, and those babies that I do see, are generally
very well. The falling Infant Mortality is mirrored in the decreasing child morbidity.
Cerebral Palsy, however, still continues as a heavy problem, and I welcome the decision of
the Education Committee to open a special day-centre for spastic children.