View report page

In March 1908, arrangement was made by the Education
Committee for carrying out the requirements of the Education
(Administrative Provisions) Act of 1907, and Dr. Lilian E. Wilson
was appointed to devote her whole time to the work of Medical
Inspection.
In accordance with the suggestions contained in the Memorandum
of the Board of Education every endeavour was made in
drawing up the scheme to associate the medical inspection with the
general public health of the district. Dr. Wilson was also appointed
Assistant Medical Officer of Health, and the Medical Officer of
Health was appointed School Medical Officer and carried out the
inspection of the boys over 10 years of age.
The co-ordination of the two services was rendered less difficult
as a system of school notification of illness had been in existence in
the district for some time.
All cases of infectious disease not scheduled in the Notification
of Infectious disease Act of 1889, and occurring amongst children of
school age were reported by the teachers. In 1903 a Health Visitor
was appointed by the District Council, and her duties included visits
to and reports upon the cases reported by the teachers. As the
system of school notifications developed, it was felt that one health
visitor could not cope with the school work as well as carry out
efficiently her other duties. In 1907 an Assistant Health Visitor was
appointed, and she was to devote her time primarily to school work.
The appointment was made by the Health Committee and the salary
paid by the Education Committee. On a re-arrangement of the staff,
owing to the resignation of the Senior Health Visitor, the Assistant