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To the Chairman and Members of the Homsey
Education Committee.
Mr, Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit my Annual Report on the work of the
Scho.l Medical Service for the year ending 31st December, 1945.
The 31st March. 1945, marks the end of arrangements under the
Education Act, 1921, and on 1st April, 1945, the Education Act,
1944, came into operation. So far as the Scho 1 Medical Services
are concerned the work has been carried on in all its branches by
the same staff.
Scope of the Work.
The medical service available to all children attending primary
and secondary and grammar schools in the Borough includes-
1) Periodical Medical Inspection (ages 5, 8, 11 and 14 years):Medical
inspection is carried out at entrance, age 8, age 11
and on leaving school. This periodical medical inspection
which takes place in all the schools at morning and afternoon
sessions, by previous arrangement with the Head Teachers,
consists of a complete survey of each child. The School
Nurse weighs and measures the child and tests vision in each
eye. She also records the previous medical history of the
child and its present state of cleanliness. The School
Medical Officer examines the whole child - hands, feet, limbs,
skin, hair, eyes, ears, nose, throat, teeth, heart, lungs,
nutrition, posture and physique, noting anything that is
abnormal. The parents get previous notice of this
examination so that they are able to attend and ask any
questions or raise any point in the health and physical or
mental development of the child. The Head Teacher is also
present (except when shortage of staff compels or to
be otherwise engaged). Periodical medical inspection is,
therefore, in my view, an important occasion on which Doctor,
Head Teacher, School Nurse and Parent enter into consultation
in the interests of the child. Views differ as to the value
of periodical medical inspection. If done in a routine, humdrum,
donkey-fashion, I agree that it is useless. If done by
a team who arc keenly int rested in the development of normal
children, it is a health scrvice of the highest importance
with unique opportunities for influencing for good the wellbeing
of the children not only in their school years, but
also in later life.
2) Periodical Dental Inspection and Treatment:- Dental
inspection of all the school children should be carried out
every year. The present staff of two Dentists (who also undertake
the treatment of children under 5 years of age) is not
sufficient, and approval has already been given to the
appointment of a third whole—time Dentist. A new Dental Clinic
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