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110
Normally, one Deputy and three Assistant Medical Officers
each devote a portion of their time to school medical work. Dr.
K. Simpson, the Deputy School Medical Officer, was engaged on
the work of Acting School Medical Officer during the first six
months of the year, and on his resignation in August to take up
another appointment, the vacancy in the post of Deputy School
Medical Officer was not filled until November, when Dr. A. A.
Turner commenced his duties. Consequently, during the greater
part of the year, there was a deficiency in the number of medical
officers available for school medical work.
(b) Part-time Officers.
The following part-time specialists arc engaged in school
medical work for the Education Committee One X-ray specialist,
one ophthalmic surgeon, and a rota of eight surgeons
undertaking nose and throat work.
2.—Dental.—Three part-time dentists.
3.—Nursing.—Seven whole-time Health Visitors are each
allotted districts in which they are responsible for school nursing,
the investigation of cases of infectious and contagious disease,
school visits, tuberculosis visits, etc. In addition to these Health
Visitors, one nurse attends the dental and eye clinics, and a second
nurse undertakes work in connection with the minor ailments
clinic, the throat clinic and the X-ray clinic.
4.—Other.—The organiser of Physical Training for girls in
elementary schools acts as supervisor of the Remedial Exercises
Clinic.
A whole-time masseuse conducts the work of the Massage
and Breathers' Clinic.
The clerical staff consists of four clerks, working under the
general supervision of the chief clerk of the department.
CO-ORDINATION WITH OTHER HEALTH SERVICES.
(a) Infant and Child Welfare.—The school medical work is
an integral part of the general public health work of the Borough.
The medical officers engaged in the work of school medical inspection
are also medical officers to the Welfare Centres established
under the Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme. The
school nurses are not at present engaged in work under that
scheme, as a separate staff of health visitors is employed for that
purpose. A proposal by the School Medical Officer for a rearrangement
of nursing districts is under consideration, whereby
each nurse would be responsible for all varieties of public health
nursing work within her area—including school nursing, home
visiting under the Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme, work at
Welfare Centres, and tuberculosis visiting.
(b) Nursery Schools.—No Nursery Schools have been established
in the Borough by the Education Committee.