[Report 1963] / Medical Officer of Health, Cheltenham Borough.

  • Cheltenham (England). Borough Council.
Date:
1963
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1963] / Medical Officer of Health, Cheltenham Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    63/92 (page 61)
    Enuresis Clinic This new clinic was started as a result of a suggestion by my Deputy, Dr P. M. Lambert, who enlisted the co-operation of Dr Doherty at the Child Guidance Clinic. The proposal was then brought to the School Medical Sub-Committee and with their approval, the necessary equipment was purchased The Clinic is held twice monthly in the School Clinic and is staffed jointly by the Deputy Medical Officer of Health and a Psychiatric Social Worker from the Child Guidance Clinic. Enuresis is a common and distressing complaint among school children, arising from many and sometimes obscure causes which often require detailed and specialist investigation. Specialist equipment, often necessary for treat- ment is also available, and in co-operation with the family doctor, is issued for use at home. Also, where it appears that surgical investigation is necessary, Mr P. F. Boreham, f.r.c.s. at the General Hospital has kindly offered to see any children w’e may wish to refer to him with the concurrence of the family doctor. It was to meet an obvious need for the treatment of these cases that the new Clinic v.’as started in the autumn and it Avas already well established by the end of the year. It has been welcomed by many family doctors as well as parents and I am sure it will increase in popularity. Sessions will probably have to be increased. Work done during the four months up till the end of the year was as follows : Number of clinics held . . . . . . . . . . 9 Number of new' cases seen . . . . . . . 15 Number of cases unsuitable for treatment . . . . . . 1 Number of consultations . . . . . . . . . . 28 Number of cases cured as at 31st December, 1963 ... 3 Number of cases still under treatment .. .. .. . 11 Employment of Children and Young Persons During the year, 73 school children were examined as to fitness for employment before or after school hours and the necessary certificate was granted in each case. The standard of fitness among Cheltenham school children is such, that it is exceptional if a certificate of fitness has to be refused to an applicant. These children are kept under medical observation and there has never been any evidence that the part-time employment has been in any way detrimental to their physical or mental w'elfare. All children leaving school are examined and advised in the light of their known medical histories as to any type of work for which they may have been found to be physically unsuitable and good liaison has been maintained with the Youth Employment Officer in this respect.