[Report 1960] / Medical Officer of Health, Northampton County Borough.
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SUNLIGHT CLINIC (Operative during winter months at the School Clinic). 11 school children made 144 attendances in 1960 for ultra-violet light treatment. (Some children attend for more than one course). ORTHOPAEDIC TREATMENT 67 Northampton children were under treatment at Manfield Orthopaedic Hospital, or the John Greenwood Shipman Convalescent Home, during 1960, and a further 14 children attended the John Green¬ wood Shipman Home as day scholars. 406 children were treated as out-patients at the Orthopaedic Clinic, Hazelwood Road, Northampton. SPASTIC UNIT The Unit for twenty spastic children (day and residential) is at the John Greenwood Shipman Convalescent Home. Six children were admitted during 1960 and at the end of the year fourteen were attending from the County Borough. They receive education and also physiotherapy or other treatment as considered necessary. Transport by bus or taxi is provided by the Education Committee, if considered necessary. DIPHTHERIA IMMUNISATION 79 children were immunised and 498 received reinforcing doses at the School Clinic. 11,483 children in the age-group 5 to 14 years inclusive had been immunised by 31st December, 1960. This is 75T per cent, of the estimated population of 15,300 in this age-group. The immunity index, i.e., the proportion of schoolchildren who have had a course of immunisation within the last five years, is 23-4. B.C.G. VACCINATION On 24th August, 1959, the Minister of Health approved a modification of Northampton County Borough Council’s proposals under Section 28 of the National Health Service Act, 1946, whereby, in addition to thirteen-year-old pupils, B.C.G. vaccination could be offered to school children who are approaching 13 years of age and can conveniently be vaccinated along with others of that age; school children of 14 years of age and older; and students attending universities, teacher training colleges, technical colleges or other establishments of further education. The scheme commenced on 22nd November, 1955, and the following tabulation shews the number of children vaccinated each year:— Year 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 o ft o No, vaccinated 140 694 718 946 999 1,396