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
West Ham 1955
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]
This page requires JavaScript
B. Cerebral Palsy.
In the report for 1954 a full account was given of the opening and development
of the Spastic Unit attached to the Elizabeth Fry Special School for Physically Handicapped
Pupils.
The Unit has continued to serve a most useful purpose in providing for the
treatment and training of cerebral palsied children. Not only did it cater for children
from this Borough but a number of requests were received from other authorities and
arrangements were made, in conjunction with the Education Authority, for the attendance
of some of the cases after suitable medical assessment.
The admissions and discharges of cerebral palsied children aged 2-16 years were as followss-
| Total carried over | Admissions | Transfer to Day Special School | Discharges | Total on Roll at end of 1955 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursery Class of Spastic Unit. | West Ham Extra | 7 | 9 | 2 | Nil | 7 |
| District | 1 | 6 | 2 | Nil | 5 | |
| Day Special School for | West Ham | 13 | 5 | - | 1 | 17 |
| Physically Handicapped Children | Extra District | 7 | 3 | - | _ | 10 |
| Totals | 28 | 23 | 4 | 1 | 39 | |
Adults.
As with epilepsy, this condition is not notifiable and, therefore, its true
incidence in the community cannot be determined, but, in the cases registered as disabled
persons, suitable employment is arranged so far as is possible in conjunction with the
various welfare and other organisations concerned. In addition, any adult spastic brought
to notice as in need of residential accommodation or specialised treatment or training is
referred to the Chief Welfare Officer.
The provision of Welfare Services for Handicapped Persons under Section 29 of
the National Assistance Act, 1948, is the responsibility of the Welfare Committee.