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SPEECH THERAPY
Due to the appointment of an additional Speech Therapist, the
Service was more efficient during the year, since it became possible
to interview, advise and treat many more children in the Borough,
and waiting lists were thus reduced. The Speech Therapy Service was,
however, still overloaded and this position can only be improved if
we continue to have a full complement of Speech Therapists. Experience
has taught us that, in general, Speech Therapists are inclined
to leave the Service after a few years.
Number of sessions held: (a) for treatment 1,460
(b) for consultation 243
Number of cases on register at beginning of year 176
Number of cases added during year 203
Number of cases discharged during year 132
Number of cases on register at end of year 247
Cases discharged during the year who:—
Achieved normal speech 52
Were greaty improved 30
Showed some improvement 28
Showed little or no improvement 12
Other reasons 10
Analysis of cases treated during the year:—
Stammering 27
Dyslalia 240
Cleft palate 11
Dysarthria 4
Cluttering 4
Aphasia 5
Defects of voice 4
Defective speech due to deafness 11
Retarded speech 79
THE WORK OF THE SCHOOL NURSES
The work of the Health Visitors/School Nurses during 1967 did
not differ, to any great extent, from that in 1966.
Visits to Schools for immunisation programmes and Mantoux/
B.C.G. continued. The Mantoux/B.C.G. programme was completed
for the whole Borough in two weeks, with the exception of those who
were absent and had to be dealt with at a later period.
Health Visitors assist School Medical Officers at routine medical
inspections in Infant and Junior Schools, and State Registered Nurses
assist in Senior Schools. The Health Visitor often knows the younger
children and their families.
In many Schools where hygiene inspections are still carried out,
this is done by the Health Visitors. In most Schools, the Health
Visitor/School Nurse is well-known to the Head Teacher and teaching
staff.
The Pilot Scheme under which talks were given to mixed groups
of children in Western Road Secondary School proved successful, and
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