View report page

109
In 1967 the Council agreed to the appointment of a health
education officer who should be suitably qualified. Partly owing
to the need for stringent economies however, it proved necessary
to postpone the appointment.
We have again had the advantage of the services of the Health
Educator employed by the Inner London Education Authority who
visited Wandsworth schools during the year to talk on health
subjects such as smoking and lung cancer, drugs and sex education.
Ten secondary and five primary schools were visited and 27
lectures were given to 1,449 secondary and 150 primary pupils.
In addition, the Inner London Education Authority organized
anti-smoking exhibitions and film shows in Greater London
Council Parks during the summer months.
Student Health Service
Routine medical examinations are conducted at four Colleges
of Education. Students are examined prior to entering and leaving
college. Medical officers also visit the colleges to carry out
immunization against a number of infective diseases, notably
tuberculosis and poliomyelitis.
In October a student health service was inaugurated at the
South-West London College, Tooting Broadway. This college is
attended by 1,500 full-time students, including approximately
1,000 from abroad. Rooms have been equipped to form a medical
suite, and a medical officer visits the college regularly in order to
advise on health matters and to examine students, as necessary.
Students are required to complete a questionnaire before their
medical examination. Although at the end of the year the service
had been in existence for only a few months its benefits have
already been demonstrated, particularly with regard to the management
of psychological and emotional disturbances.
The College Welfare Officer takes an active interest in maintaining
the efficiency of the service.
Sanitary conditions in schools
Medical officers carry out detailed inspections of school premises
annually and advise about the sanitary conditions and standards
of hygiene. Reports concerning defects, with appropriate recommendations
are brought to the notice of the Education Officer. The
reports indicate that improvements are mainly needed in the older
types of school.
Medical staff meetings
Developments in the school health service were discussed by the
Senior Medical Officers and the school physicians at meetings of
the medical staff which took place during the year.