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1 he total of attendances was 32,629 as compared with 32,307 in 1946. Each session is of 2\ hours
and apart from any consideration of mothercraft or other talks, demonstrations, etc. to mothers, the
numbers attending should permit of reasonable attention to the individual child by nurses and doctors.
On this basis the Hounslow sessions are overloaded, the Isleworth sessions working to capacity, the Heston
sessions nearly to capacity and only at Cranford can the load be increased without detriment. Restrictions
of space limit the number of nurses who can be usefully employed at any session.
The striking feature of the above table is the poor attendance of children between the ages of 1 and
5 years. Various methods such as special sessions for toddlers, appointments at 6 or 12 month intervals,
toddlers waiting rooms equipped with toys and play material and under the supervision of an assistant
or voluntary worker, etc., have been suggested to facilitate the attendance of pre-school children. To
put any of these into operation here would require additional space and/or staff and neither is available.
Nothing less than a complete examination each year by a doctor should be the aim for pre-school children,
and if this could be arranged on an appointment system most mothers would be able to attend with the
child. In due course the provision of nursery schools and classes will bring many children under medical
supervision, but at the earliest opportunity welfare centres should be organised and staffed to allow of
more attention to the toddlers.

The average attendance per session at the Hounslow routine clinic was much too high and placed
a heavy strain on all concerned. In the hope of easing this, arrangements were made for an ante-natal
clinic to be opened in Heston in 1948.
During the year 273 dockets and 1,095 coupon equivalent certificates for sheets were issued at
the ante-natal clinic to expectant mothers.
Artificial Sunlight Treatment.—This treatment was provided during the winter months at Hounslow
and Isleworth Health Centres and 95 children under school age were treated during 1947.
Orthopaedic Treatment.—An orthopaedic clinic was opened at Hounslow Health Centre in January.
The surgeon was on the staff of and in-patient treatment and appliances were provided by the Royal
National Orthopaedic Hospital. The surgeon attended once each month, and the physiotherapist on two
days each week and thus a closer supervision of orthopaedic defects was possible. During the year 52
pre-school children were examined by the surgeon, 30 were provided with appliances and 39 attendances
for treatment were made.
Defective Vision Treatment.—Children under school age in whom a defect of vision was diagnosed
or suspected were referred to the eye clinics provided by the School Health Service. During the year 70
pre-school children were examined by the eye specialist and spectacles were provided as prescribed.
Minor Ailment Treatment.—The minor ailment clinics provided under the Education Act weie
open to children under school age and 63 such children were treated during 1947.
Speech Clinic.—During the year 7 pre-school children were treated by the speech therapist.
Child Guidance Clinic.—The child guidance clinic established under the Education Act provided
treatment for children under school age and 6 such children weie treated during 1947.
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