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PREVENTION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE
The School Health Service, in conjunction with the
Council's other health services, is responsible for the
control of all infectious diseases in schools.
Although many infectious diseases are less severe than
in years past some of them remain a problem. Diseases
such as gastro-enteritis require much work to prevent and
control them.
Outbreaks of vomiting (winter vomiting) occur yearly and
the cause remains unknown. Fortunately the illness clears
quickly.
The practice concerning infectious diseases in schools is
based on the current policy of the Department of Education
and Science. The regulations set out the types of
infectious disease together with exclusion periods. All
head teachers have a copy. These regulations were
amended by the Department of Education and Science in
Autumn 1971 and a further booklet is being prepared for
distribution to head teachers for guidance.
SCHOOLGIRL MOTHERS
Only one case was referred to the School Health Service
during 1971. The girl returned to school after her
confinement.
RECUPERATIVE CARE
Under Section 48 of the Education Act, arrangements are
made on the recommendation of a doctor for convalescent
holidays, without charge, for school children.
During 1971 recuperative care was arranged for 37 school
chi Idren.
Where a mother has been ill, arrangements can be made for
her to be sent away with her children. In those cases, the
mother and any children under school age, are assessed
according to the family income and a charge made.
SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED
From the appointed day (1st April 1971) the procedure for
determining a child as ineducable has ceased to be used.
Children who would have been considered for determination
under Section 57 of the Education Act 1944 come
under the provisions which apply generally to those
requiring special educational treatment and in particular
Section 34 of the Act.
Until September 1971 the London Borough of Ealing had no
special school for the mentally handicapped and children
were accommodated for us by the neighbouring boroughs
of Hounslow, Hillingdon and Harrow. In September 1971
Mandeville School, a special school for mentally
handicapped children opened and a gradual transfer of
children into the school began. This school has a Special
Care Unit attached to it with 24 places for children with
severe physical as well as mental handicaps. Children
are admitted from the age of 3 years.
At the end of the year 126 mentally handicapped children
attended the following schools:-
Borough of Ealing - Mandeville Special School 71
St. Raphaels Convent 1
Borough of Hounslow - Oaklands Special School 47
Hanworth " " 2
Borough of Hillingdon - Moorcroft Special School 4
Borough of Harrow - Whittlesea " " 1
126
PROVISION OF MILK IN SCHOOLS
The Education (Milk) Act 1971 and the subsequent
Regulations which brought its provisions into effect on
the 1st September empowered the Council to provide free
milk only to the following categories of pupils in
maintained schools:-
(a) Pupils in special schools, ie those for the maladjusted,
physically handicapped, delicate, blind,
deaf, etc.
(b) Pupils in other maintained schools up to the end of
the summer term after they attain the age of 7.
(c) Other pupils in primary schools and junior schools in
all-age and middle schools where a school medical
officer certified that the pupil's health requires that
he should be provided with milk at school.
It is only the children falling within category (c) above
(approximately 16,200) which require further consideration
and plans have been made to identify those who are most
likely to require free mi Ik and arrange for their medical
examination as soon as possible. I consider the following
should be given priority for examination:-
(a) Those on the Health and Social Services 'At Risk'
Register: placed there because they come from
problem families (approximately 1,200).
(b) Children noted at Routine Medical Inspection as
unsatisfactory, mainly under weight and delicate
children (approximately 50).
(c) Ascertained handicapped children attending ordinary
junior schools instead of being placed in special
schools (details not readily obtainable but numbers
are not significant.)
(d) Children in junior schools receiving free school
meals (approximately 1,500).
(e) Children referred by parents, teachers, general
practitioners, or social workers (approximately 200
to date).
The total number of children in all these groups together
amounts to some 3,000 but it must be noted that there is
probably considerable overlapping within the groups. For
example it is likely that a large number of those on the
'At Risk' Register will be receiving free school meals.
It is not however possible to estimate the extent of this.
It is also not possible to estimate the number of parents
who will accept the offer of a medical examination for
their child. Arrangements have been made for additional
medical, nursing and clerical staff to undertake these
examinations which it is hoped will be commenced early
in the new year. Following the initial medical examinations
there will be a recurring yearly commitment albeit
on a reduced scale but the extent of this will only be
apparent after the initial examinations have been
completed.
SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE
Miss KM F Robinson LDS RCS, Principal School Dental
Officer, reports as follows:-
The School Dental Service has the responsibility of