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98
Delay in establishing such a unit has arisen because of the shortage of
trained teachers in this work; but the matter is still under consideration by
the Borough of Tottenham Education Committee.
Orthopaedic Service
The orthopaedic clinics, as in previous years, are attended by the
visiting orthopaedic specialists, appointed by the Regional Hospital Boards,
as follows:-
Lordship Lane Mr. E. Hanbly, M. B., F. R. C. S.
Hornsey Town Hall Mr. G. Rigby-Jones, M.C., M.B., F. R. C. S
Children are referred to these clinics as a result of routine medical
inspections in schools or from minor ailments clinics, and following the
advice of the orthopaedic specialists arrangements are made for remedial
exercises and physiotherapy
Chiropody Service
This useful medical auxiliary service has been continued for the priority
classes of mothers and school children, Details of attendances and conditions
treated are set out in a table in the Apendix to this report.
A chiropody service for aged persons is conducted on school health
service premises at Lordship Lane by arrangement with the Tottenham Old
People's Welfare Committee. It is known, however, that there is a long
waiting list and once again the Committee's attention is drawn to the apparent
need for expansion of this worth- while service.
Speech Therapy
Work has continued without interruption during 1953. Through the
co-operation of doctors and health visitors, about a quarter of the children
referred during the year were under five years of age. This has given
invaluable opportunities for re-assurance and guidance to mothers, even where
the child is too young for direct treatment, as failure of their children's
speech to measure up to normal standards is a major source of anxiety.
Early referral is of particular importance in cases of stammering. The
older the child, the more lengthy becomes his treatment, on account of habit
factors and the development of secondary symptoms. The problem of adequate
testing for an intermittent difficulty, and the possibility of serious
deterioration in even an initially slight case should be kept in mind.
Cerebral palsy cases at Vale Road School for Physically Handicapped
Children have been receiving two to three treatments weekly.