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During the year a total of 2,221 recommendations for help
were received and of these 33 only were not assisted; during the
same period six persons required night attendants and 210 hours
of service was provided, all cases being of terminal illness. At the
31st December, 1965, 1,518 persons were still receiving home help.
SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICE
At the end of 1965 the number of school children in Havering
was 42,331, representing 16.9% of the total population of the
Borough. They attended 109 schools; 77 primary schools, 28
secondary schools (including grammar schools), 2 technical schools
and 2 special schools for educationally sub-normal pupils.
The functions of the Borough School Health Service are :—
(a) the examination of the school population and the detection
and treatment of illness or defect likely to
interfere with a child's educational progress. This is
carried out in the Borough by:—
(i) Medical Inspection (see Table No. 12).
Periodic medical examinations by a school
doctor, preferably in the presence of the parent,
are arranged three times during a child's
school career at the approximate ages of five,
ten and fifteen. Special inspections and advice
are also available at any time and on any of
the varied problems of or before a child's
school career.
(ii) Additional Screening Test (see page 24).
Screening tests of vision, hearing and general
hygiene are carried out by school nurses.
(iii) Treatment Services (see page 25).
Treatment of defects detected at a medical inspection
or screening test is arranged either at
the school clinics or through the family doctor
and hospital services. The Borough dental service
is described on page 16.
(b) The provision for the needs of handicapped children
in close co-ordination with the Education Department
(see page 32). A child can be referred by the
parent, teacher, health visitor or school nurse, educational
psychologist or any other person concerned
with the child's care to the school doctor for examination
and advice. If special educational treatment
appears to be necessary the Principal School Medical
Officer advises the Chief Education Officer who makes
the necessary arrangements for a place to be provided
at a suitable special school. In many instances
the examination is repeated, after a period of observation,
before any recommendation can be made.
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