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45
SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICE IN KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA
Annual Report by Dr. J.H. Weir,
Borough Medical Officer of Health and
Principal School Medical Officer
The Inner London Education Authority is responsible for the school
health service but, by virtue of an agreement required by Section 32 of
the London Government Act, 1963, there is joint use by the Authority and
the Borough of professional staff, premises and equipment. The Medical
Officer of Health is the Principal School Medical Officer of the Inner
London Education Authority for the area, and responsible to that Authority
for the day-to-day running of the service.
It is with pleasure that I submit the following summary of the
work of the School Health Services undertaken in the Royal Borough of
Kensington and Chelsea during the year ended 31 st December, 1967.
Where relevant, comparable figures relating to the previous year are
shown in brackets.
Under the ordinary jurisdiction of the Authority, 10,158 (10,134)
children were accommodated in thirty primary schools, while 7,008
(7,239) pupils of secondary school age attended eleven secondary schools.
In addition, 172 (172) children of nursery school age were catered for,
and spastics of infant age were cared for by the Cheyne Hospital School.
ROUTINE MEDICAL INSPECTIONS
Conditions governing the medical examination of all school children
remain the same as in previous years. Children are examined on entry
to the infant school at about five years of age, on entry to the primary
school at about eight, on entry to the secondary school at eleven-plus,
and finally during the term immediately preceding the end of their
school life.
During the year 7,000 (6,830) children were examined in 777 (751)
sessions. Defects which were noted for treatment or observation were
found in 2,912 or 41.6% (2,910 or 42,6%) and 896 or 12.8% (977 or
14.3%) were actually referred for treatment. The parents of 51.8% (52.3%)
of the children exercised their right to be present at the examination
of their children, and this relatively low number seems to indicate
that there are many parents who fail to realise the benefits that may
accrue from their presence.
Care Committee representatives were present at 80.9% (81.7%) of
the examinations held.
SPECIAL MEDICAL INSPECTIONS
At any time during school life, a child exhibiting hitherto
unnoticed physical or mental abnormalities may be specially examined
at the request of teachers, parents or other interested partiesDefects
discovered at routine medical inspections may also result in
special medical examinations of the children concerned.
During the year children thought to be in need of education in
special schools were referred from various sources and included 89
(77) for the statutory E.S.N, examination. A total of 92 (74)
statutory examinations was carried out resulting in 49 (34) recommendations
for education at an E.S.N. school. The remainder included