London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Hackney 1970
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hackney]
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49
EDUCATION WELFARE SERVICE
After much consideration the Inner London Education Authority decided to
develop a unified education welfare service which incorporated the School Care
Service and the School Enquiry Service. The new service came into operation on
1 October 1970. Schools are still being served by combined area teams of both
paid and voluntary workers thus preserving the tradition of voluntary care so
long established in the London Education service.
TREATMENT FACILITIES
School children are treated at most maternal and child health 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 | 310 | 2,122 | 4,440 |
| Orthoptic | 163 | 286 | 590 |
| Audiology | 35 | 132 | 223 |
| Special investigation | 158 | 198 | 898 |
| Minor ailment | 114 | 389 | 1,907 |
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 1,088 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.
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 spends 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
5,812 children who were given a sweep test, 163 required a further test and 138
were referred to the consultant ear, nose and throat surgeon who conducts a
weekly clinic at the Centre.
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 area teams of
the Education Welfare Service.
Each minor ailment clinic is staffed by a clinic nurse; details of the
defects treated are set out below:-
Athlete's foot 28
Plantar warts (verrucae) 528
Other skin disease 1
Bruises, lacerations, etc. 127
684