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43
have a high degree of protection which was well maintained over the period of
almost three years when the investigations were proceeding. It is intended to
continue the investigations for a further period.
The trials also showed that the use of live attenuated measles vaccine
alone gave a greater protection than the killed followed by the live vaccine
programme and was therefore recommended. The live vaccine, requiring only one
injection, produced a few reactions which were not serious.
As a result of these trials, vaccination against measles was included, at
first on a limited scale, in the Borough's prophylaxis programme (see page 26).
Survey of children with spina bifida
This study, by the Research and Intelligence Unit of the Greater London
Council, began in 1966 and continued throughout the year. One research
worker from the Unit's staff has carried out interviews with the parents of
children who have this disability living in the Borough. Close liaison is maintained
with this Department, requests for appointments being taken to the parents
by a health visitor. The object of such a long-term detailed study is to obtain
information on the children's progress, enabling a fuller assessment than was
possible formerly to be made of their special needs for treatment and education.
In March of this year the Director of the Clinical Genetics Research Unit
of the Institute of Child Health, asked to be allowed to interview selected
mothers of children born either with spina bifida or anencephaly. This is
in a sense a parallel study to the one mentioned above, since its object is
to estimate the risk of recurrence of the defect in another child. Data for
the two surveys is being correlated, and this Department is kept informed so
that no interviews are arranged where it is anticipated that they might cause
distress to the mother.
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.
TRAINING
Apart from the statutory requirement to provide training for pupil midwives,
the Council has arrangements for training other nursing staff for specific duties.
Nursery Nurses
There is an annual intake of young girls who have just left school
for 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 nurseries which have been approved by the Department of Health