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103
Pupils on school rolls
In May, 1970, there were 49,033 pupils on the rolls of schools
in Wandsworth, including primary and secondary day schools
together with special day and boarding schools and classes for
handicapped pupils.
Medical inspection of schoolchildren
Routine medical examinations are performed by medical officers
working in either a full-time or part-time capacity. Whenever the
necessity arises the family doctor is consulted about the results
of the examination, and parents are invited to attend, so that any
matters relating to the child's health may be discussed without
delay. Much valuable information is also obtained from the
school nurses, the Care Committee workers and the teaching staff.
Immunization records receive special scrutiny and, if indicated,
the attention of the parents is directed towards completing the
immunization schedule, particularly with regard to the prevention
of diphtheria, poliomyelitis, tetanus and tuberculosis. Control of
infection and infestation is facilitated by means of the medical
inspections and the health surveys made by the school nurses. In
this respect, examination of children before a school journey
is of proven value.
Relatively frequent medical examinations take place at the
schools for the handicapped. Specially approved medical officers
examine educationally subnormal children. Although the emphasis
rests upon the educational status of these children, any physical
abnormality is carefully assessed, for the successful treatment of
a physical defect may well enhance the child's prospects of securing
gainful employment after leaving school. Behaviour problems
in children of all ages continue to present difficulties. To
solve a behaviour problem is often an exacting task, demanding
intensive application of medical and educational resources.
Routine general medical inspections during 1970 totalled 17.915
compared with 17,789 in 1969. Of those children inspected, 16.2%
were referred for treatment of defects, 8.0% being referred for
treatment of defects other than vision. The corresponding percentages
for 1969 were respectively 15.7 and 7.5.
The following table shows the number of children referred for
treatment or observation of the defects listed at routine general
medical inspections during 1970, expressed as a rate per 1,000
children inspected, together with the corresponding rates for 1969.