London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Havering 1965
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Havering]
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have conditions requiring treatment, but only 12 were judged by
the school doctor to be in a generally unsatisfactory state of health.
In addition a number of children were found to have defects
which, although not requiring immediate treatment, needed to be
kept under further observation.
| Condition | No. of defects found requiring treatment | No. of defects found requiring observation |
|---|---|---|
Re-inspections
Certain of the children referred for observation are re-called
for a repeat medical inspection. A total of 1,433 re-inspections
were carried out during the year.
Special Inspections
These medical examinations are carried out at the clinics at
any time during a child's school career following a request by the
parent, teacher, school doctor or nurse, etc. They are not part of
the routine inspection programme and are available to help with
any problem of a child's physical or mental health, development
or educational progress.
During 1965 special inspections totalled 1,729. Defects found
at these inspections which needed treatment or a period of further
observation included 300 skin conditions, 129 vision defects, 94
hearing defects, 89 mental development or psychological conditions,
71 foot defects and 64 speech defects.
SCREENING TESTS
Vision
The periodic medical inspections include a test of vision by
the school nurse and an additional test is carried out at the age
of seven or eight years. Any deviation from normal is referred
to the school doctor who arranges treatment or referral for a
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