View report page

106
(2) The Committee might consider the advisibility of
throwing the responsibility for treatment on the Guardians of
the Poor, who, according to a recent decision of the Local
Government Board, are at present the responsible authority.
This is shewn by a letter addressed by the Local Government
Board to the Guardians of the Havant Union, which reads as
follows:—
Local Government Board,
Whitehall, S.W.
Sir,
I am directed by the Local Government Board to advert to
your letter of the 26th ultimo with reference to the question raised
by Mr. L. E. W. Stephens, District Medical Officer in the Havant
Union, in regard to medical attendance upon school children.
In reply the Board direct me to state that it appears to them
that if the children do in fact need medical attendance, though
not for acute illness, and the parents cannot obtain it, the Relieving
Officer's Order for the attendance of the District Medical Officer
should not be refused.
The Board direct me to add that if any children should be
found to require operation or specialized attention, they would
be prepared to approve of payments to the Medical Officer or
other special arrangements.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
John Lithiby,
Assistant Secretary.
The Clerk to the Guardians
of the Havant Union.
The Croydon Guardians have not, however, any staff for
dealing with dental out-patients, and if provision has to be
made at public expense, it would doubtless be more convenient
and not more costly for the local Education Authority to take
the matter into their own hands.
(3) The Committee might follow the example of Kettering
and endeavour to establish a dental provident dispensary where
children could be treated at fixed fees. The following is an
outline of the Kettering scheme:—
kettering urban district education committee.
Scheme for the Provision of Dental Treatment for the Elementary
School Children of Kettering.
A room to be provided by the Education Authority, and
fitted up by the Dental Surgeons.