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123
TO THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present the seventh annual report of the
School Health Service of the London Borough of Bromley.
The health of the schoolchildren has continued satisfactorily
as revealed in the medical examinations at maintained and
independent schools by a one per cent decrease in the number of
pupils referred for treatment. Though the backlog in medical
inspections will be reduced, there was a decrease of 2,075 medical
examinations which will need to be completed as soon as possible.
Immunisation Service
The only schemes carried out as part of the school medical
service are B.C.G. vaccination of children in the 13-14 age group
and Rubella vaccination for girls between their 11th and 14th
birthdays; 3,252 pupils received B.C.G. vaccination and 4,216
pupils received Rubella vaccination. The acceptance of Rubella
vaccination has quickly reached 73.3% and indicates the ready
acceptance by the public of measures designed to reduce the
incidence of congenital handicaps. In B.C.G. vaccination against
tuberculosis the number of children who gave a positive reaction
because of previous vaccination increased by 44 and the number
of children referred to the Chest Clinic for further examination
to exclude tuberculosis decreased by 22. Though these figures are
small they represent a trend whereby in the foreseeable future
the epidemiological need for routine B.C.G. vaccination will need
to be reassessed.
Audiology and Speech Therapy
The shortage of qualified speech therapists is part of a
national shortage of therapists which is noted in other fields of
therapy such as psychotherapy and physiotherapy. Against this
background the efforts of the various services have been directed
towards greater integration with the Hospital Service and priority
to diagnostic assessment.
In speech therapy while there has been some delay in treatment
and unfortunately lack of provision at Goddington Special