London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Merton 1969

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Merton]

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SPEECH THERAPY
The Authority was fortunate in having a full complement of three
Speech Therapists, and it was thus possible to allocate a Speech
Therapist in each case to the Mitcham area, the Merton and Morden
area, and the Wimbledon area.
Details of cases dealt with are given below: —
Number of sessions held: (a) for treatment 1,093
(b) for consultation 67
Number of cases on register at beginning of year 370
Number of cases added during year 149
Number of cases discharged during year 177
Number of cases on register at end of year 342
Cases discharged during the year who:—
Achieved normal speech 57
Were greatly improved 44
Showed some improvement 34
Showed little or no improvement 22
Other reasons 20

Analysis of cases treated during the year:—

Stammering48
Dyslalia192
Cleft Palate10
Dysarthria9
Cluttering1
Aphasia3
Defects of voice18
Defective speech due to deafness21
Retarded speech and language162

THE WORK OF THE SCHOOL NURSES
Health Visitors in their capacity as School Nurses visit all nursery
and primary schools in the Borough. In these schools their previous
knowledge of the young child and his home is especially valuable.
They undertake regular health surveys where this is necessary and
assist the School Medical Officer with routine medical examinations.
The amount of health teaching by Health Visitors in Middle and
High schools has increased from 20, in 1968, to 133. Health Visitors
also attended four Parent-Teacher Association meetings.
The response to these sessions by both staff and pupils has been
most rewarding, and we received more requests for talks than we
could accept. Great assistance in the preparation of these programmes
has been given by the Health Education Officer.
State Registered Nurses who act as School Nurses visit with the
School Medical Officers all the Middle and High schools for medical
examinations. They also undertake the vision testing in the schools,
assist with the programme of Diphtheria and Tetanus inoculations and
the Mantoux/B.C.G. injections. They also staff the general medical
clinics.
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