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44
TREATMENT FACILITIES

Vision testing is provided at eye clinics at four centres in the borough.
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 881 pairs of spectacles were ordered.
All children have their vision tested on entering school at 5 years - or
earlier if they attend a nursery class. Because many of the children have not
learnt the alphabet before school, the Sheridan Gardner method of testing eyesight
is normally used and has proved to be a very successful method for testing
the eyesight of very young children. When any defect is found the children are
seen by eye specialists at one of the four centres in the borough, or at the
eye department of local hospitals.
Special attention is given to verifying that a child's hearing is satisfactory.
One school nurse devotes most of her time touring the schools testing
hearing using an audiometer.
Those children who fail the first test - a sweep test - are given a more
detailed hearing test at John Scott Health Centre. During the year, out of
6,237 children who were given a sweep test, 225 required a further test and 132
were referred to the consultant ear, nose and throat surgeon who conducts a
weekly clinic at the Centre.
Children at the special unit for partially hearing children, which is an
integral part of one of the primary schools, are seen every year by a consultant
ear, nose and throat surgeon who is accompanied by a social worker.
The three special investigation clinics continue to provide a service for
children suffering from obesity, enuresis and early emotional problems.
Some children may be seen at a Special Investigation Clinic prior to being
referred to 'child guidance' and in these cases the social worker will provide
support for the families, and also provide a social report on the family.
School health social workers maintain very close liaison with the School Care
Organiser and her voluntary workers.