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
Merton 1971
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Merton]
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HANDICAPPED PUPILS
The following table shows the numbers of pupils on the Handicapped Pupils' Register as at 31st December, 1971, together with details of the special educational facilities which have been provided by the Authority —
| Classification | Numbers of pupils ascertained during 1971 | Total number ascertained as at 31.12.71 | Attending Special schools as: | Awaiting placement at end of year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day pupils | Boarders | ||||
| Blind | 1 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 1 |
| Partially-sighted | 1 | 6 | 5 | - | 1 |
| Deaf | 1 | 17 | 10 | 7 | - |
| Partially-hearing | 7 | 20 | 13 | 4 | 3 |
| Educationally sub-normal | 35 | 259 | 236 | 14 | 9 |
| Epileptic | 1 | 2 | - | 1 | 1 |
| Maladjusted | 29 | 102 | 46 | 51 | 5 |
| Physically-handicapped | 4 | 40 | 32 | 6 | 2 |
| Delicate | 10 | 41 | 28 | 10 | 3 |
| Totals | 89 | 497 | 374 | 98 | 25 |
The numbers of pupils receiving education at home under Section
56 of the Education Act, 1944, were six maladjusted and two delicate.
THE SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE
Mr. E. T. Thompson, the Chief Dental Officer, has contributed
the following report on the operation of the School Dental Service
during the year:—
'At 31st December, 1971, the dental staff consisted of the Chief
Dental Officer, four full-time Dental Officers, two part-time Dental
Officers and one part-time Orthodontist, giving a full-time equivalent
of 5.5 Dental Officers compared with 6.5 in 1970. The Authority also
employs one Dental Auxiliary. Four sessions per week were devoted
to orthodontics by the Orthodontist and two by one of the Dental
Officers.
'The staff changes during the year, mainly the resignation of two
part-time Dental Officers, and the sudden death of a full-time Officer,
resulted in a disruption of the School Inspection programme, with
4,000 less children being inspected.
'The number of permanent teeth extracted, mainly for orthodontic
purposes to relieve overcrowding, was about the same as for
1970. The number of deciduous teeth extracted was 228 less than
1970, showing that more teeth had been saved by conservation.
'Dental Health Education has been given by Health Visitors,
Dental Auxiliaries and Dental Officers, with the co-operation of the
Health Education Officer.'
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