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MEDICAL INSPECTION
Under Section 48 of the Education Act, 1944, it is the duty of every local
education authority to provide for the medical inspection, at appropriate intervals,
of pupils in attendance at any school or county college maintained by them. The
local education authority also has power to provide inspection of senior pupils in
any other educational establishment maintained by them. The authority may
require pupils to undergo medical inspection in the absence of reasonable excuse.
The primary reason for medical inspection is to ensure fitness of school children
to benefit from the education provided. This is achieved by the early detection of
any defect with subsequent referral for treatment, either by the family doctor or the
School Health Service. It also provides an opportunity for parents to discuss with
the medical officer any problems regarding behaviour or difficulty at school or at
home and for the medical officer to suggest preventive measures against predictable
illness.
The arrangements in Enfield are for medical inspection to be carried out on
school entry, at eight years of age, ten years of age and also at school-leaving age.
Children in nursery classes are examined twice a year.
Medical officers also visit the Enfield College of Technology and Southgate
Technical College, mainly in a consultative capacity. At the Enfield College, 42
students consulted the medical officer during the year, some of them on several
occasions. Of those interviewed, 14 were on account of psychiatric disorder. In the
last group many were anxiety states or examination stress and needed more than
one consultation, two students being referred to a consultant psychiatrist.
At Southgate College, 219 students availed themselves of the service, advice
being sought on various medical conditions, and, to a lesser extent, emotional
problems. The majority of enquiries came from overseas students. Drug-taking did
not seem, on the surface, to be a problem.
During the year 287 audiometric hearing tests were carried out, and eight
students were found to have a hearing deficiency. Advice was given regarding
treatment.
At the beginning of the academic year a medical officer visited each college
and outlined the facilities available for students.
The Mass Radiography Unit visited both colleges in October, and 291 students
from the Enfield College and 234 from the Southgate College availed themselves
of this opportunity for a chest X-ray. In no case was any significant abnormality
found.
The only other establishment for further education in the borough is Trent
Park College, which is a teachers' training college. Students are medically examined
before admission and a general practitioner is available for consultation.
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