London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Hackney 1966
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hackney]
This page requires JavaScript
50
GEFFRYE SCHOOL
This school provides excellent care and education for the more severely
physically handicapped primary school age child, despite the fact that the
premises are old and housed on two floors rather than one. A fairly new
problem has been the increasing number of young children with spina bifida
admitted to the school. This poses big problems in physical care, for many
of these severely handicapped children are still in nappies and unable to
stand.
NEW RIVER SCHOOL
A new day school for partially-sighted children of all ages was nearing
completion by the end of the year and was expecting to admit its first pupils
early in 1967. It is situated in Clissold Road, N. 16.
TUTORIAL CLASS
Last year I stated that it was hoped to open a third tutorial class for
children whose progress at school had been hindered by some emotional problem,
such as school phobia. This was achieved by the re-engagement of a teacher
who had previously resigned.
TREATMENT FACILITIES
Just over 15% of the 13,881 children examined were referred for treatment
and half of these were for some defect of vision.
School children are treated at all maternity and child welfare centres and
at Hackney School Treatment Centre, 13, Goulton Road, E.5.
Details of the work done at these clinics are set out below:-
| Type of Clinic | No. of Sessions | New Cases | Total attendances. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vision | 290 | 2,121 | 4,321 |
| Orthoptic | 167 | 153 | 689 |
| Audiology | 33 | 113 | 256 |
| Special investigation | 119 | 144 | 650 |
| Minor ailment | 171 | 307 | 2,553 |
VISION TESTING
This Service is provided at eye clinics at four centres in the borough.
Appointment lists are heavy and every effort is made to provide appointments as
quickly as possible. Orthoptists are available at two centres and they play
an important role in providing an efficient remedial service.
The majority of cases seen were found to have errors of refraction and/or
squint, and 1,213 pairs of spectacles were ordered.
SPECIAL INVESTIGATION CLINICS
Three of these clinics are held regularly and are mainly attended by
children having enuresis. Drugs or an alarm bell machine may be used in
treatment, but there is an increasing emphasis on ways of attempting to ease
emotional difficulties which often motivate enuresis. The doctor and social
worker function as a team and the social worker is now making more visits to