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School nurses carried out a total of 47,799 health surveys; 34,965 comprehensive,
6,885 selective and 5,949 in connection with communicable diseases.
All children early in their school life are tested for hearing loss by a visiting
school nurse using the sweep test method. Those who fail this test or about whom
there is some doubt, are given further more accurate pure tone tests at school
treatment centres. Where results are not satisfactory, pupils are referred to an
otologist for further investigation. 8,359 children were given the sweep test, of
whom 401 required a pure tone test, and of these 57 were referred to an otologist.
MEDICAL TREATMENT OF SCHOOL CHILDREN
Certain specialist clinics, at which only school children are seen, are run in
conjunction with Regional Hospital Boards and the Boards of Governors of Teaching
Hospitals. Some clinics are provided in hospitals, whilst others are held in school
treatment centres when the hospital authorities provide the specialist staff and the
local authority the premises and nursing staff.
Sessions provided in teaching hospitals include two vision sessions at King's
College Hospital, two vision sessions and one audiology session at Belgrave
Hospital and an investigation session for heart diseases, enuresis, dietetics and
minor behaviour difficulties. All these sessions are attended by social workers
(school health service) who arrange appointments and act as liaison officers with
the hospitals and the Inner London Education Authority school care committees
and school inquiry officers. Health service social workers also attend special
investigation clinics held in school treatment centres.
There are three vision clinics in local authority premises and an orthoptic
clinic at one centre.
Certain treatment facilities are provided directly by the local authority and in
Lambeth these include special investigation clinics at which children suffering
from obesity, enuresis and similar complaints are seen.
Minor ailments and accidents are treated at minor ailment clinics. Normally
only a nurse is in attendance but occasional medical officer sessions are held
where needed.
RECUPERATIVE HOLIDAYS
Recuperative holidays for school children are provided at homes in Littlehampton
and Bognor Regis run by the Inner London Education Authority. Some
children are also sent by the Authority to voluntary homes.
One hundred and fifty Lambeth children were accommodated for periods
between two and four weeks.