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The survey aims to obtain information about the number of such children
and about the severity of their handicaps so that their needs can be catered
for in future planning.
The information sought falls into two parts:-
(i) prevalence of this type of defect at 30th September, 1966
(ii) incidence in the twelve months ending 30th September, 1967.
Enquiry forms were received from the G.L.C. for 23 children included in
part (i) who were living in the borough.
OTHER SURVEYS
The department again took part in a number of surveys which are continuing
over a period of some years. These included Dr. Alice Stewart's survey of
childhood cancers, the long-term follow-up for the Medical Research Council investigation
of measles vaccine and the National Survey of Health & Development
(which began in 1955).
STAFF MEDICAL SERVICE
Until October only official staff were obliged to undergo a full medical
examination before confirmation of appointment was made, but upon the introduction
of a medical questionnaire concerning a candidate's medical history to
assess fitness for employment, manual workers were also brought within the scope
of medical assessment. Candidates for employment, other than residential staff
mentioned below, are medically examined only when the replies to the questionnaire
suggest that further investigation is necessary.
As residential staff in the Children's Department would be working with
children it was agreed with the Children's Officer to continue the practice of
examining them, irrespective of their previous medical history unless the applicant
had been employed with another local authority immediately prior to taking up
an appointment with this Borough.
TRAINING
Apart from the statutory requirement to give pupil midwives training, the
Council makes arrangements for training other nursing staff for specific duties.
NURSERY NURSES
There is an annual intake of young girls who have just left school who
receive a two-year course of practical and theoretical training in the care of
children from birth to seven years of age, leading to the examination for the
Certificate of the National Nursery Examination Board.
Practical training is given to these nursery students at six of the Council's
day nufseries which have been approved by the Minister of Health for this purpose,
whilst formal theoretical study is undertaken at the North-Western Polytechnic.
Ten first-year and thirteen second-year students were in training during
the year, and the latter twelve successfully passed the examination.
An experimental course of one year's practical and theoretical training in
nursery work was also made available to four students who were not of the
educational standard required for the National Nursery Education Board course.