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45
Facilities Provided at Various Times during 1947 for 66
Children of Varied Diagnosis (Contd.)
Referred to Prince of Wales's Hospital 3
Referred to schools E.N. and T. Department 1
Referred to schools physiotherapy department 1
Referred to schools dental department 3
Referred to schools minor ailments clinics 2
Referred to own doctor 2
Of the 66 children in attendance, 39 were having dinners at
school, and 53 were having milk at school.
During 1947, 2 children were medically discharged, requiring
no further review, and 8 children voluntarily discontinued their
attendance despite invitation, based upon medical opinion, so that
this attendance might continue.
As in 1946, this clinic has not been as fully supervisory as one
could have wished. This must mainly be attributed to a deficiency
in the provision of trained workers. The part-time services of a
children's medical consultant are not yet available, the assistant
school medical officers are occupied upon statutory duties which
leave little time for the regular performance of this interesting and
important rheumatic work. The existing school health visitors are
engaged to capacity upon their established duties. An increased
provision of workers, the provision of a "hospital school'' scheme,
such as the Authority's provision at Hayling Island prior to the
1944 Education Act, the introduction of notification by all local
doctors of acute rheumatism, might do much to increase efficiency
in combating this crippling disease. Withal, however, one cannot
do more than scratch the surface of the rheumatic question while
present adverse home environment continues. The cure of the
rheumatic condition may be mainly a medical problem, but the
prevention of the rheumatic condition is as much an educational
problem as it is a medical one.
Chiropodist.
For some time it has been considered that a chiropody service
would be of great value both on the maternity and child welfare side
and for the school children. As the result of discussion with the
various departments concerned, a chiropody service will be introduced
in the New Year.