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was 14,368, an increase of 3,324. The physical condition of all
the pupils inspected was satisfactory and 2,100 pupils (14.6 per
cent) were found to require treatment.
A further 4,215 children were given routine tests of vision and
hearing, as a result of which 277 pupils (6.7 per cent) were referred
for treatment because of visual defects and 33 pupils (0.8 per cent)
were referred for treatment because of hearing defects.
Follow-up examinations, referrals to General Practitioners,
specialist clinics and to Hospital Consultants were arranged as
and when necessary. Further details of these examinations will be
found later in the report.
Reference was made in my report for 1969 that because of
the shortage of Medical Officers the year's work could not be
completed. Unfortunately as above I have to report that some
work was still outstanding at the end of the year under review,
due to the fact that the full establishment of Medical Officers
could be maintained for only 8 weeks during the year. In spite
of this, however, it was possible to arrange attendance at various
training courses for some of the Medical Officers—regrettably,
however, not all. It is recognised both administratively and at
field level that the maintenance of an up-to-date and efficient
Service can only be achieved by such an attendance.
It will be appreciated that Medical Officers devote about half
of their time to the School Health Service. The arrangement of
identification of an area based around the Child Health Clinics
has worked very satisfactorily, as it enabled a continuity of service
to be given to the parents.
Financial provision has been made and it is hoped to appoint
a Psychotherapist and an Audiometrician in the coming year.
It was felt that the time was opportune, following national
interest in various education/health matters, to arrange a conference.
A four day residential conference was, therefore, organised
by the Chief Education Officer and was held at Kingsgate College,
Kent.
Four senior members of the Health Department were invited
to attend as staff taking an active part in what proved to be an
outstandingly successful conference.
Subsequently, the Department was represented on the Working
Party engaged in drawing up proposals for a uniform scheme of
of work on Health Education suitable and flexible for use in
Secondary Schools, and it is understood that a decision will be
made in the near future on the scheme. Meanwhile, some of the
Health Visitors assist actively in Health Education teaching in
some schools where this subject is already incorporated in various
parts of the syllabus.