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SCHOOL HEALTH
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 Director of Public Health and the
Medical Officer of Health is the Principal School Medical Officer of the Inner London Education Authority
for the area and is responsible to that Authority for the day to day running of the service.
The co-operation of the Medical Adviser's department of the Inner London Education Authority, the
local Divisional Education Officer and Head Teachers of the schools in the Borough has been much
appreciated throughout the year.
HEALTH OF SCHOOL CHILDREN
In May 1970 the school roll for the Borough was 34,196. 42.4% of these children were examined at
routine medical inspections during the year and only 0.5% were thought to be in an unsatisfactory physical
condition.
ROUTINE MEDICAL INSPECTIONS
As a routine, all pupils in nursery schools and nursery classes were medically inspected on admission and
annually thereafter.
Each pupil was also examined by the school nurse each term in which a medical inspection was not
carried out. School nurses visited weekly, but made more frequent visits in emergencies.
Other children were medically examined as soon as possible after admission to infants' schools (except at
two schools where pre-entry medical examinations were held).
They were next seen after their transfer to junior school except at nine schools in the Borough where
only selected pupils were seen.
The next routine medical examination took place after the pupils were transferred to secondary school
when boys were also tested for colour vision.
Pupils were again seen as early as possible in the term before the one by the end of which they would
reach Statutory school leaving age. A medical report to the Careers Service was completed at this
examination for pupils who intended to leave school at 15 years of age.
Pupils who were still in attendance after attaining 15 years of age were inspected as early as possible in
the term prior to that in which they would be leaving school, when a medical report to the Careers Service
was completed.
Special school pupils were also seen at least once a year by the school doctor, specialist or consultant, as
appropriate.
PRE-ENTRY MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS
At two schools in the Borough medical examinations were arranged, as an experiment, to take place
before actual admission to school, instead of the normal examination as soon as possible after their
admission to school. The pre-school medical examination could not, of course, be regarded as a condition
of entry to the schools concerned and some children were admitted to school before their medical
examination could be arranged. However, a higher than average percentage of mothers attended these
pre-entry medical examinations with their children and, as a result of this, better histories and other
necessary details were obtained. It was also possible to do more to ensure completion of immunisation and
dental treatment before the child started school. It was, therefore, agreed that these two schools could
continue to hold pre-entry medical examinations until further notice.
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