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increasing number of local education authorities were known to
have adopted the method Whilst there were arguments both for
and against the selective method of medical inspection, the Chief
Medical Officer concluded his report as follows:-
"In short, in areas where the selective examination procedure
has been carefully thought out, and introduced
with conviction, it has been welcomed by parents, teachers
and doctors, It brings the parents, teachers and school
health service staff closer together and focuses their
attention on the children most in need of medical advice
and help It makes the work of the school doctor more
interesting and vital; and it may well quicken research by
the school health service into the problems of child health
and educational retardation that still confront us"
A pilot scheme of selective medical inspection of junior
school leavers was introduced in Havering in 1967 with the
approval of the Education Committee This proved to be a valuable
experience resulting in more effective use of the school
doctor's time and also helped to create improved co-operation
between medical, nursing and teaching staff.
Pilot scheme statistics showed that the number of selected
children found to have defects requiring treatment was no less
than the number found by routine inspections and Committee
approval was given for the sqheme to be extended The selective
system was eventually adopted for all junior and secondary
medical inspections which not only had the effect of concentrating
the school doctors' time on those children most likely to
need their attention, but also enabled considerably more time to
be spent on routine medical inspection of new school entrants at
5 years of age This initial medical inspection is the most vital
and, since it is usual to obtain almost 100% parental attendance
with the younger age group, the extra time available is most
usefully employed in discussing and advising parents on their
children's health problems
From the initial and any subsequent selective or special
medical examinations arrangements are made for regular surveillance
of any child considered to require further observation.
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