London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Havering 1969

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Havering]

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SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICE 1969
The school population of the Borough continued to increase
during the year to a total 44,138 (an increase of over 4% since
the inauguration of the Borough in 1965). Two new schools were
opened during the year, Towers Junior School in January and
Brady Primary School in April.
The school situation at the end of the year was as follows: —
Primary Schools 84 (26,209 pupils)
Secondary Schools 25 (16,080 pupils)
(including Grammar Schools)
Technical Schools 2 (1,496 pupils)
Schools for Handicapped Pupils 3 (353 pupils)
Total — 114 schools,
44,138 pupils
Medical Inspections
Periodic medical inspections of school pupils continue to
play a fundamental part in the School Health Service. These take
the form of a comprehensive screening examination; any defects
detected being referred for investigation or treatment in consultation
with the family doctor.
The medical examinations also provide a useful opportunity
for parents to discuss their children's health problems with the
School Doctor, who is able to offer advice on matters varying
from immunisation against infectious diseases to physical
suitability for a chosen occupation.
All children are given a routine medical inspection shortly
after admission to the infants school but the trend in recent
years has been for subsequent examinations to be on a selective
basis, full examination being arranged only for those considered
likely to be in need of medical attention. Selection is made by
the School Doctor with the aid of previous medical records and
information provided by the parents, teachers, health visitors
and school nurses.
A phased programme of selection for the intermediate age
group (11 year old) has been developed in Havering over the past
few years. The final phase was reached at the commencement of
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