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Special Medical Inspections and Re-Inspections
In addition to the periodic medical inspections, many children
are examined by the School Medical Officers as a special inspection
at the request of the parent, teacher or nurse etc. Follow-up
examinations arising from periodic or special inspections are
also carried out when necessary.
2,014 children were specially examined by School Medical
Officers during the year and 1,797 re-inspections were carried
out. Defects found at special inspections included the following:-
Skin Conditions 279
Defective Vision 298
Hearing Defects 120
Nose and Throat Abnormalities 73
Speech Defects 46
Orthopaedic Conditions 110
Psychological Conditions
and Mental Development 193
Screening Tests
Routine screening tests of vision and hearing are performed
by the school nursing staff as part of the periodic medical
inspection procedure and additional tests are carried out at
about 7 or 8 years of age. Colour vision is also tested at the
intermediate or final medical inspection. Any children failing the
screening tests are seen by a School Medical Officer for a more
thorough examination and referred to a Specialist if this is found
to be necessary.
During the year under review a pilot scheme of examination
of vision using a compact portable self-illuminated testing machine
was carried out. The advantages of this vision screener are that
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