London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Tottenham 1959
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Tottenham]
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Already excellent teamwork exists in the close collaboration seen between consultant
otologist, head master of the special school and classes for the deaf, parents, school medical
officers, general medical practitioners and health visiting staff.
A total number of 56 new cases were seen and appropriate action taken in respect of their
educational needs. The number of pre-school children referred for advice was comparatively
large, namely, 17 out of 56. Four of these were found to be severely deaf; ten probably not deaf
but in need of further observation to eliminate some possible hearing loss, and in three a final
diagnosis of no loss of hearing showed that deafness was not the cause of retardation.
Dr. Fisch further reports that the functioning of the audiology unit during 1959 provided
valuable experience for planning the work for the future. The improved facilities should ensure
that no child whose hearing is impaired suffers either because of late detection of the disability
or lack of adequate training after a diagnosis has been made. Parents should get all essential
help, guidance and encouragement when it happens that their child suffers from a hearing
disability.
| No. | Age | Sex | Reasons for referral | F.H. | Remarks | Source of Referral | Decision and Disposal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | F | Known deaf. Not coping at day nursery | Yes | - | School Medical Officer. Tottenham | Admission to nursery at Blanche Nevile School. |
| 2 | 1 6/12 | M | ? Deafness | Yes | Has goitre | School Medical Officer, Hornsey | Probably not deaf. |
| 3 | 3 | P | ? Deafness | No | Coloured | School Medical Officer, Hornsey | Probably not deaf. |
| 4 | 2 | M | ? Deafness | Yes | School Medical Officer. Tottenham | Probably not deaf. To ordinary day nursery | |
| 5 | 4 | M | ? Deafness | Yes | Poor speech | School Medical Officer, Hornsey | Not deaf. |
| 6 | 1 10/12 | M | ? Deafness | No | Delayed speech Indian | School Medical Officer, Hornsey | Deaf. To nursery unit at Blanche Nevile School |
| 7 | 1 | M | For adoption ? Deafness | No | Illegitimate Backward | School Medical Officer, Potters Bar | Not deaf. Backward, |
| 8 | 2 4/12 | M | ? Deafness | No | Delayed speech | School Medical Officer, Edmonton | Not deaf. |
| 9 | 2% | M | ? Deafness | Yes | Delayed speech | School Medical Officer Tottenham | Not deaf. To normal day nursery. |
| 10 | 4 | M | ? Deafness | No | Delayed speech | School Medical Officer, Hornsey | Probably not deaf. To nursery school. |
| 11 | 3 | M | ? Deafness | No | Delayed speech | School Medical Officer, Tottenham | Not deaf. Possibly backward. |
| 12 | 4 | M | ? Deafness | No | Articulation defect | School Medical Officer, Edmonton. | Not deaf. |
| 13 | 4 | F | ? Deafness | No | Delayed speech | School Medical Officer, Hornsey | Not deaf. |
| 14 | 6/12 | M | ? Deafness | Yes | - | School Medical Officer, Southgate | Deaf. For auditory training. |
| 15 | 3 | M | Known deaf. Prom Great Ormond Street for supervision | No | - | Great Ormond Street Hospital | To nursery unit at Blanche Nevile School. |
| 16 | 5/12 | M | Mother suspected deafness | No | - | School Medical Officer, Hendon | Probably not deaf. |
| 17 | 5/12 | M | Slaw. Matron at day nursery suspected deafness. | No | Illegitimate | School Medical Officer, Southgate | Probably not deaf. Backward. |