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3
Nutrition
The Education (Milk) Act 1971 occasioned special medical examinations
for children put forward as possibly needing the extra one-third pint of milk
a day. Requests for examinations were received from 10% of parents whose
children were eligible, and 16% of the children examined were recommended
for free milk (330). The number graded as "General physical condition
unsatisfactory" in the quoted statutory table for 1971 is 10 out of 18,180
children examined. The percentages of such "unsatisfactory" children have
varied in the 7 years of the London Borough of Croydon tables from 0.06% to
0.15%. It therefore seems that a generous interpretation was given by examining
medical officers to the directive to recommend any child who might
benefit from additional milk.
Dental Service
Mr. West, the Principal School Dental Officer, gives his first report
having succeeded Mr. Palmer in December 1971. It is clear that he brings to
his duties the enthusiasm and foresight of his predecessor.
Health Education
Miss Elliott indicates how co-operation with schools continued to develop.
The aim is to have an appropriate course given by the teaching staff
in every school. Our role is to initiate action, suggest content, display
supporting material and give occasional teaching help for special aspects.
Even for schools not accepting the general programmes specific requests for
sex education were met with routines adapted to the age range concerned.
The method of parent involvement in the junior school programme on "growing
up" is mentioned. The difficulties of recruiting and retaining staff in this
section unfortunately continued, and the volume of work achieved reflects the
outstanding efforts of Miss Elliott and her supporting officers.
Handicapped Pupils
The physically handicapped group continued to decline in number as the
great crippling infections no longer afflict chiIdren in this country. At St. Giles'
School for Physically Handicapped pupils Spina Bifida is the most prevalent
condition (24%). Before the advent of modern surgical treatment for spina bifida
95% of affected babies died whereas now upwards of 75% survive. One survey
has shown that of these survivors 71% are mentally normal and 27% without
other physical handicap and able to attend an ordinary school. However, 19%
were educationally subnormal and 10% ineducable. At present no diagnostic
technique can show the group unlikely to respond to surqical intervention.
Unless all are to be abandoned, as before, to natural elimination, we must
face an increasing number of severely handicapped spina bifida children
requiring special services. Agreement to provide a nursery class at St. Giles'
School was very welcome to cope with this and similar problems.