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277
SECTION IX
SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES
REPORT OF THE
PRINCIPAL SCHOOL MEDICAL OFFICER
Introduction
This is the first year that the School Health Service has been
organised on a Borough basis and it is understandable that this
annual report should follow closely the pattern adopted for so long
by the former London County Council. While in the Inner London
Education Authority area and for Ministry purposes certain basic
statistical standardisation will be necessary and indeed desirable,
it is hoped that in future years Boroughs will be able to show a
certain individuality in the presentation of local reports.
The year has seen no major changes and the main aim has
been to preserve a continuity and to agree on the limits of local and
central responsibilities, particularly in respect of arrangements
and recommendations for special education. It is certain that by
early next year a scheme for the joint use of staff and premises
relating to the School Health Service will be agreed by the
Boroughs and the Inner London Education Authority.
In this introduction certain matters of local relevance must be
emphasised, particularly deficiencies which are known to exist and
which it is hoped can be remedied in due course.
Child Guidance Facilities
Child guidance facilities were seriously lacking in the Borough
during 1965. The service formerly provided by special arrangement
with the Memorial Hospital was discontinued and the clinic at St.
Alfege's Hospital had a waiting list of three months. Children and
parents in need of this service required immediate attention locally.
It was very occasionally possible to arrange appointments at
teaching hospitals, but the journey involved caused difficulties,
sometimes insuperable, when frequent and regular psychotherapy
was prescribed.
The number of referrals in one year in this area has averaged
over 190 and four sessions per week at Chevening Road Welfare
Centre have been allocated so that an immediate expansion of the
facilities will be possible. It is hoped that the Regional Hospital
Board can make available a consultant psychiatrist for the sessions
and the I.L.E.A. will provide the educational psychologist and
psychotherapist. A psychiatric social worker and administrative
and clerical support are available. This scheme in full operation