View report page

where positive results were obtained a further sample was tested and the child's General
Practitioner informed. In the event of two positive results the child was referred
to hospital for further examination.
907 children took part in the survey. 815 negative results were obtained. Of the
remaining 92 positive results 29 girls were referred to hospital for further investigations.
SCHOOL HEALTH SOCIAL WORK
It is a matter of great concern to the School Health Social Work Department,
that due to depletion of staff, for various reasons, it has not been possible to undertake
the normal volume of preventive social work with the families of school children, at a
time when it is abundantly clear that there is an ever increasing need.
When the Social Services Act came into being on 1st April, 1971, the Principal
School Health Social Worker and the three family caseworkers moved over to Social
Services.
Two long serving social workers later retired and as it has not been possible to
replace the liaison social worker at Guy's Hospital, they have lost a valuable link with
the preventive services provided by the Inner London Education Authority.
The Social Worker for the Deaf was sadly missed by many families as well as
colleagues working with the deaf, when he left to go abroad. The two young social
workers who joined the School Health Service this year have made a noble effort to
continue the work at the Partial Hearing Units and the Play Group projects which he
pioneered, as well as covering the work from four special investigation clinics.
When the Deputy Principal School Health Social Worker left at the end of
September, only one of the original team remained, who in optimistic mood commenced
an Extra Mural Course at London University!
In spite of all these setbacks, the special investigation clinics have continued to
treat children suffering from enuresis, obesity and minor behaviour problems. This
has been made possible by the excellent co-operation of the School Nursing Staff
whose expert knowledge, close contact with the families of school children and deep
concern for preventive medicine, has always been a vital contribution to the work of
the team.
88