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95
Rheumatism Supervisory Centre
The rheumatism supervisory scheme has now been in operation since August
1951 under the overall direction of Dr. I.M. Anderson, Consultant Paediatrician,
Prince of Wales's Hospital, with the close co-operation of the local
Public Health and Area Health Departments.
Children are referred to the clinic by general medical practitioners and
through the School Health Service. A number of children are also admitted
directly to the paediatric wards of the Prince of Wales's Hospital and St.
Ann's General Hospital suffering from acute rheumatic fever and allied conditions.
After discharge from hospital these patients attend the supervisory
clinic.
The supervisory clinic sessions for follow-up are held on alternate
Monday mornings in the Out-patients Department of the Prince of Wales's
Hospital. The routine examinations are carried out by the paediatric
registrar and an assistant area medical officer, assisted by a sister-incharge
and a clerk from the Area health office. Roth first and subsequent
cases are seen at each session. In the case of new patients a full history
is taken and a complete clinical examination is carried out. The various
forms are then completed and other investigations, where necessary, such as
X-rays and electrocardiographs are performed. After these preliminary
procedures the patients are seen by Dr. Aiderson on Tuesday and Thursday
mornings at the Prince of Wales's General Hospital. At this examination and
from the results and reports previously obtained the diagnosis and clinical
assessment are made and recommendations regarding future schooling are sent to
the School Health authorities.
Following this initial assessment the patients are seen at regular
intervals at the supervisory clinic by the paediatrician or local authority
medical officer and should any significant change appear in the clinical
condition they are again referred to Dr. Anderson for further discussion
regarding treatment or special educational requirements.
It was originally intended to take steps to obtain a local order making
acute rheumatism compulsorily notifiable, but following discussion with
officers of the Ministry of Health it was decided during the year not to
proceed with this aplication since the present scheme appeared to bring under
the care of the supervisory centre all children in the Area needing treatment.