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changes brought about by the Education (Handicapped Children)
Act 1970. An important consequence of the Act locally is that
Woodbrook Training Centre for mentally handicapped now
becomes a Special School. The activities of our five Special
Schools, Woodbrook, Goddington, Grovelands, St. Nicholas and
Cheyne are reported in detail later.
Future Trends
It is now clear that important legislation in the next few
years will provide a framework in which total integration of
health including school health, medical practitioner and Hospital
service is possible. It is important that in the intervening period
there should be no interruption of forward plans for the School
Health Service and that there should be no loss of morale among
staff; but the present lack of skilled staff in every field of medical,
dental, nursing and technical services must dictate for many years
ahead the speed of change.
In conclusion, I wish to thank the Chairman and Members
of the Education Committee for their support and understanding
of the changes that new advances in medical care and in legislation
have brought to the School Health Service. The practical
application of these changes in Bromley have in no small measure
owed their success to the co-operation of the Principal School
Medical Officer and staff with the Chief Education Officer, Mr.
Barraclough, his staff, in particular, Mr. Chamberlain, and with
the Heads of Schools throughout the Borough.
Dr. P. A. Currie, Senior Medical Officer, supported by Miss
D. Gardner, has been responsible for the day to day medical
administration of the Service and has given me valuable advice
and help throughout the year. The Principal Dental Officer, Mrs.
C. M. Lindsay, has managed her service with her customary tact
and efficiency. To these Section Heads and to the supporting
professional, clerical and technical staff I offer my most sincere
thanks and hopes for the future.
L. R. L. EDWARDS,
Principal School Medical Officer.