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To The Worshipful the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of Haringey
I have the honour to present for your consideration the report on the work of the School Health Service
for the year ended December 1970.
The Annual Report of the Principal School Medical Officer is not an exercise in public relations but a survey
of the work done in the School Health Service and where criticism is expressed by officers and consultants
I hope that it will be seen to be constructive.
The Consultative Document on the National Health Service reorganisation states that "future arrangements
for the School Health Service will require special consideration" and with that in mind we can look back
on the recent years of the School Health Service and realise that the present administrative machine is one
which in spite of a shared responsibility between the Health Committee and the Education Committee has
nevertheless allowed for adaptation to changing circumstances, although such a machine calls for the continued
interest of all concerned.
During recent years the problem of the correct assessment of intelligence has stimulated much thought and
we all realise that the well-tried I.Q. test is not so much a measure of competence to succeed in a wide variety
of careers as an attempt to measure academic potential. The I.Q. test may not reveal all the combination of
qualities that make for future happiness and success, and most of us would agree that there is scope for an
improved test. The school doctor plays an important part in this assessment to ensure that no child who
appears to be backward is so because of a failure to receive treatment for a defect of hearing or vision or
general health.
In Haringey the School Health Service has been particularly fortunate in the inspiration and advice which
we have received from our consultant colleagues in the hospital service not only those whose services have
been available to us on a sessional basis but from others who are not employed directly by the School Health
Service. I refer with appreciation to the advice we have had from Dr. Napier Thorne, consultant dermatologist,
on the establishment of a warts clinic and to the assistance from Dr. Jeanne Reeve, consultant haematologist,
in connection with the Chief Dental Officer's pioneer investigations into sickle cell anaemia as a hazard in
dental anaesthesia.
Once again I am pleased to record thanks to all those who have contributed to the work of the School Health
Service, the Chairman and Members of the Education Committee, the Director of Educational Services, the
Chief Education Officer and the staff of the Education Department, and the teachers who have always given
their support in the interest of their pupils.
J.L. PATTON
Principal School Medical Officer.
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