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It appears that the upward trend in the recording of contra-indications noted in
previous years continues.
The absence of any other evidence of deterioration of the children's health
suggests that stricter criteria of fitness are being used.
The following-up of children referred by the school doctors for observation or
treatment is an essential part of the School Health Service, and is carried out by
members of the children's care organisation. Each referred child is re-inspected by
the school doctor a few months after the medical examination to allow time for
treatment to be carried out.
During 1946, 65,205 re-inspections were carried out for defects previously noted
by the doctors. Excluding those requiring dental treatment, the combined results
of the first and second re-inspection gave a total of 88.8 per cent. under treatment
or further treatment no longer required. This is a higher percentage than that
recorded in 1938, which was 83.1.
Medical treatment
The Council has arranged comprehensive free treatment in the Council's hospitals
and school treatment centres and, for the treatment of specified defects, at certain
voluntary hospitals. The scheme also includes the free supply and repair of surgical
appliances, including artificial limbs, spectacles and insulin prescribed at voluntary
hospitals for pupils for whose education the Council is responsible. The Council
also pays for in-patient and out-patient treatment, at hospitals outside London,
of its pupils who are temporarily absent from their homes in London. Payment
of the cost of emergency dental treatment by private practitioners (for the relief of
pain) during the evenings, week-ends and other times when clinics are not open, is
also authorised.
Sanction was given during the year for payment of travelling expenses for pupils
from Council schools and their parents or escorts, when the clinic is more than 2
miles from the home of a senior pupil, or 1½ miles in the case of a junior pupil, or for
any shorter distance when the school medical officer considers this is necessary, e.g.
in the case of certain handicapped pupils.
During the year arrangements were made for an experimental period of one
year with Westminster Hospital (All Saints genito-urinary department) for reference
of pupils from Council schools suffering from enuresis.
At the end of 1946 there were 83 school treatment centres, and in addition 24
voluntary hospitals were co-operating with the Council in providing treatment for
defects of school children (medical and dental).
Following-up
and reinspection

* During the year spectacles were prescribed and supplied to 19,351 children at 5 voluntary hospitals;
trained orthoptists assist the ophthalmic surgeons to obtain proper muscular balance of the eyes.
† Most of these operations were carried out in the Council's hospitals, and the number of school
treatment centres used for this purpose was much smaller than in 1938.