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SCHOOL HEALTH
Summary
School population 44,005
Routine medical
inspection
Number of children examined 11,261
Number found to be satisfactory 11,261
Number found to be unsatisfactory Nil
Medical treatment
Total attendances:
Minor ailments 21,758
Ear, nose and throat 217
Ophthalmic 3,922
Orthoptic 1,709
Orthopaedic 44
Speech 2,638
Child guidance 1,156
Handicapped
children receiving
special education
Total number of children 629
Number attending day special schools 515
Number attending residential schools 111
Number attending special language class 3
Routine dental
inspection and
treatment
Number of children examined 35,313
Number found to need treatment 13,936
Number treated by school dental officers 7,255
Medical inspection
Section 48
Education Act 1944
The purpose of the medical inspection required by Section 48 of the Education Act 1944 is to ensure
the fitness of school children to derive the maximum benefit from the education provided.
The procedure adopted for the medical inspection, at appropriate intervals, of pupils attending maintained
schools has followed the same pattern as in previous years, apart from the introduction of an
additional vision test at twelve years. Approval was, however, given for a limited trial of a system of
selective medical examinations for ten-year-old children in a part of the borough during 1973.
At present full medical inspection is provided at school entry, at ten years of age and during the last
statutory year at school, with a vision test only at eight years and at twelve years. The form of
appointment for the medical inspection invites a parent to be present, thus providing an opportunity
for parent and medical officer to discuss the child's health and development. An estimate of the
child's physical condition is made at the time of the inspection and the 11,261 examined in 1972
were all classified as satisfactory. Following the final medical inspection before leaving school, the
careers officer is notified if, for health reasons, a pupil should not undertake certain types of employ
ment. In 1973 some changes will take place in this procedure following the introduction of the
Employment Medical Advisory Service Act 1972.
Medical inspection is not provided at the eight independent schools in the borough, but these schools
are included in the B.C.G. vaccination scheme.
Medical officers no longer visit the two technical colleges, each of which has made arrangements with
general medical practitioners, but students are informed that they can receive B.C.G. vaccination. The
mass radiography unit continues to visit both colleges in the autumn. One hundred and ninety-nine
students from Enfield College of Technology and 363 from Southgate Technical College attended for
chest X-ray examination. Four from Southgate and one from Enfield were referred for further investigation
but no subsequent action was deemed necessary.
Colour vision
Persons with defective colour vision are unable to follow certain occupations. In order that pupils
may be made aware of any such defect reasonably early in their school lives, the intermediate periodic
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