View report page

DEFECTS FOUND AT ROUTINE MEDICAL INSPECTIONS
17.4.4 It is pleasing to record that the physical condition was found to be
factory in only 0.2 per cent, of all the children examined at routine inspections. 16.6 per cent,
were referred for treatment of defects, compared with 15.7 percent, in 1967, and 7.5 per cent,
were referred for treatment of defects other than vision, compared with 8.4 per cent, in
1967. Analysis of the recorded defects revealed that visual defects were found in
95.88 per cent, children per 1,000 examined, as against 77.75 per cent, in 1967. Although
most of these were not seriously handicapped, it is important for the school health team
to keep a watching brief on the effect of visual defects on the child's educational progress.
In the autumn of 1968 two of our medical officers attended the course, organised by
the School Health Group of the Society of Medical Officers of Health, on developmental
ophthalmology. The two-way exchange of information with lectures and demonstrators on
the course was found to be most useful.

There were no major changes in policy during the year. Dental health is covered
in the separate report by the Principal School Dental Officer.
THE HANDICAPPED CHILD
17.6.1 Drawing together the threads of a child's progress, taking into account the
factors which influence his physical, emotional and social development, in order to
assess his educational needs, can be a complex process. It is sometimes necessary
to draw on the professional experience of many different disciplines to complete the
picture. In this respect 1968 might be remembered as a year of consolidation with a growing
mutual understanding and awareness of the services for the handicapped child. Good
relationships were established with medical colleagues in general practitioner and
hospital services, with teachers and other workers in all branches of the education service
and with social workers in many fields. Many case conferences were held to good effect,
though it must be recognised that there will always remain a number of children for whom
each placement is no more than a temporary holding operation.
17.6.2 The observation and handicap register revealed the comparatively large number
of children in ordinary schools suffering physical handicaps, some of them quite extensive.
The responsibility for ensuring that any necessary treatment is given, and appropriate
advice forwarded to the Education Officer, falls to the school medical officer,
under the direction and guidance of the Principal Medical Officer concerned.
17.6.3 It is hoped that closely forged links with the newly established Wolfson
Assessment Centre, which promised to consider simultaneously the physical, intellectual,
and social aspects of a child's handicap, and further refinement of our system for reviewing
the needs of particular children through the index of the handicap register, will
improve the standard of effective help through the various social service agencies. The
ensuing paragraphs will serve to illustrate some of the help already available through the
special schools in the Borough.
43