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SECTION IX
SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES
REPORT OF THE
PRINCIPAL SCHOOL MEDICAL OFFICER
Introduction
In presenting the School Health Report for 1966, it is pleasing
to record that in general the health of our school-children remains
satisfactory.
Mention was made last year of a scheme for the proposed joint
use of staff and premises by the Boroughs and the Inner London
Education Authority. These discussions have resulted in a close
partnership being established and the new arrangements would
seem to be mutually acceptable and to everyone's advantage.
It was hoped that child guidance facilities would have been
expanded, but long and tortuous negotiations with the Regional
Hospital Board for the engagement of a child psychiatrist proved
abortive and the Authority decided to attempt to recruit the necessary
consultant help under educational as opposed to health
powers. It is disappointing to relate that, due to no fault of the
Authority, this post remains unfilled and the local child guidance
service continues to be inadequate. The Borough still depends on
St. Alfege's Hospital for referrals, the numbers continue at a high
level and with a waiting time of three months it is to be hoped that
next year will see some progress. In the meantime, the Authority
continues to seek suitable premises, apart from the Chevening Road
clinic, for even further expansion if a full time consultant psychiatrist
can be engaged.
It must also be said that in respect of E.S.N, pupils there are
continuing delays in the placement of these children at day or
boarding schools. Similarly, delays are growing with maladjusted
pupils, especially for boarding schools.
Although Greenwich is relatively more fortunate than most
other boroughs in respect of speech therapists, there is a waiting
list for pupils with speech defects. An effort is being made to improve
recruitment and the joint employment of speech therapists in
Borough services such as junior and adult training centres and the
School Health Service is being examined.
Apart from the continuing difficulty also of recruiting suitably
qualified and experienced full time school medical officers, particularly
to undertake the more specialised functions, the general
standard of service has been high.