View report page

CHAPTER IV.
SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES.
1. SERVICES PROVIDED, Schools (22) allocated in 5
areas to Medical Officers; Health Visitors allocated to particular
schools—Periodic routine and special inspections conducted at
schools—Clinic Services, Minor Ailments (treatment, issue of
accessory nutrients, etc.), Dental, Ophthalmic, Orthopaedic,
Speech Therapy, for further specialist opinion (e.g., tonsils and
adenoids, cardiac and chest conditions, skin conditions, ringworm),
specialist examinations (e.g., X-ray) pupils referred to County
Hospitals (Redhill or Central Middlesex, or Chest Clinics)—Child
Guidance Clinic at 2, St. John's Road, Harrow—Ascertainment of
handicapped pupils, recommendation re special schools (boarding
and day)—Advise parents of children about to leave school regarding
the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, 1944—Ascertainment
and recommendation regarding children incapable of
receiving education at school — Cleanliness, general scrutiny,
ascertainment and advice given—Supervision of private schools
regarding sanitary accommodation and avoidance of overcrowding.
2. DEVELOPMENT. Until July, 1945, this service was
administered independently by the Middlesex County Council—
service now dealt with under Scheme of Divisional Administration
of Education (July, 1945), the Borough being an " Excepted
District" according to Education Act, 11944.
3. Continuing progress in the integration of the School
Health Services was made during the year. The figures in
Appendix D show a large increase in the number of routine
medical inspections at the schools—4,751 in 1946, 6,492 in 1947.
It is anticipated that this figure may be still further increased in
.1948. Routine inspections are now being undertaken according
to a scheme by which all children are examined within six months
of their entry into school life. The 10-year old group is being
examined before the pupils enter the Secondary Schools, while
the 14/15-year old group has been examined as far as possible
during the term immediately before leaving school. Grammar
School pupils were being examined annually and Secondary Modern
School pupils were examined more frequently. With more
examinations only a slight increase in defects have been ascertained
and treated (see Appendix).
4. The following is Miss RichnelPs report for the year 1947:—
During the earlier part of 1947, two sessions weekly were
held at both Stag Lane County Clinic and at One Tree Hill
Borough Clinic. From September onwards, after the appointment
of an Assistant Speech Therapist by the County Council, it was
possible to double these sessions at both clinics.
36