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77
CO-OPERATION OF TEACHERS.
In no year more than 1934 have I appreciated the co-operation
and help which the school teachers and especially the Head Teachers
have afforded the School Medical Department. Much as the
School Medical Department can do towards improving the health
of the children, it is only through the constant care and vigilance
of the Head Teachers that early cases of disease can be brought to
our notice. The teacher is the first person to notice that a child is
becoming quiet or listless, the first to realise that the child's work is
falling below its previous standard. Great as may be the influence
the school doctor can wield in urging parents to obtain treatment
for their children, it is very often to the Head Teacher that a parent
goes to discuss the matter. I have no hesitation in saying that the
co-operation I have received could not be better, and the happy
conditions under which we work with the school teachers gives me
the very greatest pleasure; I have had the feeling throughout the
whole year that my work has been backed by the loyal help of the
teachers, probably at the expense of much of their leisure time,
and I know that the Committee join with me in feeling deeply
grateful for the services the teachers have rendered in this respect.
Following upon the permission of the Education Committee,
arrangements were made during the year for the transference of all
the School Medical Cards to my Department, so that I now have
in the office a medical record of every child who is attending our
schools. The Head Teachers have been most helpful in supplying
me with such particulars concerning the health of the children as I
have required, and I hope by means of having the cards in my own office
to relieve the Head Teachers of a certain amount of clerical work.
CO-OPERATION OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICERS.
Arrangements are in force by which the School Attendance
Officers, on becoming aware of absence from school due to infectious
disease or contact therewith, notify the School Medical Officer.
On the other hand, the School Medical Department notifies the
Director of Education of similar cases in order that he may pass on
the information to the Attendance Officers.
CO-OPERATION OF VOLUNTARY BODIES.
The Children's Care Committee provides help for necessitous
children. Through its agency free meals are granted to children
who are suffering from insufficient feeding, and during 1934 23,688
dinners were thus provided.