Duchess of ATHOLLasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of education authorities having approved schemes for the orthopaedie treatment of physically defective children that include operative treatment where necessary and remedial after-care; and the number of such schemes that are provided jointly with the authorities for maternity and child welfare?
Mr. W. ADAMSONNo educational authority makes independent provision for major operative treatment of physically defective children, such treatment being ordinarily carried out by the voluntary hospitals. Thirteen education authorities have approved arrangements for the treatment of deformities by massage and remedial execises, and 21 education authorities have approved arrangements for treatment by orthopaedic appliances. In practice all education authorities supply splints, surgical boots and such like appliances where necessary. As regards the last part of the question, there is no scheme for orthopaedic treatment provided jointly by an education authority and a maternity service and child welfare authority, though there are a number of cases in which there is co-operation between the two authorities in the use of premises.