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13.
In concluding the Maternity and Child Welfare Section of this
Report, I should like to pay tribute to the personnel of the Rescue Service
for their co-operation in providing toys and recreational equipment for the
children at the Day Nurseries and to the voluntary workers who have given
such valuable help both at the Health Centres and Day Nurseries.
SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICES.
I am glad to report that the health of the children attending school
was well maintained, the incidence of infectious diseases remained low, but
there was a slight deterioration in the nutritional standard as compared with
the previous year to which reference will be made later. As a result of
official and unofficial evacuation, the number of children attending the
Public Elementary Schools fell during the summer and autumn terms from 13404
to 7261. This had the inevitable effect of interfering with the arrangements
made for routine medical examinations and treatment, particularly in those
cases for whom treatment of a protracted character was being provided.
MEDICAL EXAMINATION.
The following gives a brief resumd of the scheme of medical examination
now in operation;-
Public Elementary Schools.
Children under 5 years of age twice annually.
Children from
5-14 years of age
"Entrants" at approximately 5 years of age.
"Intermediates" at approximately 8 years of age.
"Leavers" at approximately 12 years of age.
In addition a final examination is carried out during the
last term at which a child attends school so that treatment
may be provided before the child leaves the care of the school
medical services, and advice given as to mental and physical
fitness for particular occupations.
Secondary and Technical Schools.
In Secondary and Technical Schools, children are examined
annually.