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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 in 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 16,323
Schools visited 139
Children with hearing loss 622
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 1969 34,199 examinations were carried out, 350 cases of infestation were
found representing 0.96% of the children examined.
Vision Testing
Vision testing is carried out normally on five occasions during the child's school
life, namely at five, seven, nine, twelve and fourteen years of age. Three of these
examinations are linked with the routine medical examination, and school nurses make
special visits to school for the other two. In special schools vision testing is
carried out annually.
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