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41
Survey of Children with Spina Bifida
The first part of this survey organised by the Research and Intelligence
Unit of the Greater London Council was conducted in 1966 and it consisted of
the completion of questionnaires for 28 children suffering from the condition
of spina Difida whose homes are in this Borough.
The second part of the survey extended the enquiry to children born with
the condition between the 1st October 1966, and tne 30tn September 1967. It
is intended to follow up in detail the progress of these children for some years
with the intention of discovering the incidence of the condition ana also helping
in the assessment of the children's special needs for treatment and education.
Measles Vaccine
This was a continued follow-up of the trials held in 1965 and 1966. The
first results were satisfactory, contact being maintained with 87% of those
children vaccinated. Health visitors were asked to visit those parents who did
not return forms sent to them by post, and wherever possible the addresses of
families who had moved were made known to the Research Council worker. No report
of'this part of the follow-up had been received by the end of December.
STAFF MEDICAL SERVICE
All new entrant staff and manual workers complete a medical questionnaire
concerning their medical history in order that their fitness for employment may be
assessed. When replies to the questions suggest that further investigation is
necessary, a medical examination is carried out.
New entrant staff whose duties bring them into close contact with children
are required to have a chest X-ray examination in addition and those who will
be resident in Children's Department and certain Welfare Department establishments
are medically examined unless they have been employed with another local
authority immediately prior to taking up an appointment with this Borough.
In addition, staff whose sick pay allowances are nearing exhaustion are
medically examined and a report submitted to the Establishment Committee for
consideration of an extension of sick pay allowances.