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SELECTIVE MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS
As the final pattern of school re-organisation has not yet emerged, it has been decided to hold in
abeyance this type of medical examination for a further year.
SCHOOL MEDICAL ROOMS
The gradual improvement in facilities of school medical rooms has continued as fast as the financial
situation has allowed.
SCREENING PROCEDURES
An important adjunct to the routine inspection of children is the frequent visiting of schools by
nursing or medical auxiliary staff for the purpose of screening large numbers of children for defects. Such
visits are made for the following purposes:-
(1) Audiometry
(2) Head Inspections
(3) Vision Testing
Audiometry
This is devised to detect even a slight loss of hearing at the earliest possible opportunity which in
certain cases may be before the child attends school. Normally the first test is carried out shortly after
admission to school and thereafter at two to three-yearly intervals. Any loss of hearing is reported to the
school doctor who will examine the child to exclude some minor or temporary condition. Should
he suspect some more serious cause of deafness the child is referred either to his own doctor, to a
hospital ear, nose and throat consultant, or to the audiology unit at Heston. The figures for testing during
the year were:-
Children tested 9,764
Schools visited 121
Children with hearing loss 370
Children referred to specialist 149
Head Inspections
The Council's policy of inspection of children's heads for infestation is that examination takes place
at six-monthly intervals except that, where a junior or secondary school has been entirely free from
infestation for two years, further examinations take place less frequently at my discretion.
During 1968 52,829 examinations were carried out, 549 cases of infestation were found representing
0. 96% of the children examined.
35.