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214
Medical Staff.
The whole time professional staff has remained unchanged during
the year. Dr. McLaggan, the specialist attending the Ionization
Clinic, resigned early in the year, on being appointed as specialist
ear, nose and throat surgeon to the Croydon General Hospital. We
have been fortunate, however, in retaining his interest, and Dr.
Watson, the Deputy School Medical Officer, who is carrying on
the Ionization Clinic, can refer any special cases to his clinic at
the General Hospital. A part-time medical officer, who held 109
sessions, has been appointed to carry on with the Routine Medical
Inspections previously done by a whole-time medical officer.
Co-ordination with Other Health Services.
A close co-operation exists between the Public Health Department
and the School Medical Sendee, the Medical Officer of Health
is also the School Medical Officer, and the assistant whole-time
medical officers, with the exception of the Tuberculosis and Obstetric
Medical Officers, all take part in school work.
During 1932 endeavours have been continued to obtain a continuity
between the Maternity and Child Welfare work and the
School Medical Service, but the difficulties mentioned in the 1931
report have not yet been overcome. The value of continuity cannot
be doubted, but its attainment is difficult.
The continued co-operation of the Head Teachers and of the
School Attendance Officers has been a valuable help without which
much of the medical work and following up would have been
difficult of proper fulfilment. As can be seen by the figures in
Table I. parents have attended at the routine medical inspections
whenever home duties allowed and their presence at the examination
is helpful because the doctor can explain personally any instructions
he desires carried out. The Voluntary School Care Committees,
and the Croydon Council of Social Service have also
co-operated in the work. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Children have through Mr. Brown, their inspector, rendered
assistance with a few difficult cases. Ten cases have been dealt
with and of these four have been brought to a satisfactory conclusion
whilst 6 still remain under supervision. The inspector paid 17
visits during the year.