View report page

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 1971.
The year has seen one important change in that the William Harvey School, which was formerly a Training Centre
and the responsibility of the Health Department, is now a school and therefore an Educational responsibility. I am
pleased to say that this change has not affected the teamwork between teachers and medical staff which is so
necessary in a school of this sort. The school was built to meet a need based on estimates made in 1967, but
having met this estimated need we find a new problem in that some arrangements must be made so that all the
school leavers have somewhere to go. We find also that the school is having to deal with more than the estimated
number of children requiring special care.
The opening of the Moselle School in 1971 has provided a useful service for some children who need more care
than can be given in ordinary schools.
The Council were anxious about the effects of the withdrawal of free school milk from children aged 7 to 12 and
in the Report I described the arrangements which have been made so that an increased number of children are
now receiving free milk on the grounds of health.
During the year the Inter-services Committee on Youth has set up a working party on youth consultation centres
and we have been recommended to set up a pilot scheme consultation service to offer facilities for the diagnosis
treatment and counselling of adolescent psychiatric problems on a day attendance basis.
In the reorganisation of the Health Service now pending the future of the School Health Service is uncertain. Will
it remain with the Education Authority or will it pass with the Personal Health Services to the new Area Health
authority?
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 and the Chief Education Officer and staff who
during a difficult year have given us their usual efficient co-operation at all levels and above all may I pay
tribute to the teachers on whose enthusiasm and support we are increasingly dependent.
J.L. PATTON MB ChB DPH
Principal School Medical Officer
65