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80
School Health Clinics.
As indicated in the foreword to this section, these clinics
have continued fully staffed and well attended throughout the year.
It is felt that nothing in the N.H.S. Act has yet altered the requirements
of the Education Act, 1944, that a comprehensive medical
service (other than domiciliary treatment) shall be provided for
school children.
It is better to examine and if possible treat a child in the
environment of the School Health Clinic than to thrust him into
the atmosphere of the hospital or the crowded waiting room of
the general practitioner's surgery.
Hospital staffs are well aware of the advantages offered by
our Clinics and increasing use is made by them of the facilities
offered in conjunction with their own periodic supervision.
Our chief difficulty is to retain good medical staff owing to the
low salaries School Health posts command, but it is hoped that
some adjustment may be made as a result of negotiations now
proceeding which will have the effect of obviating this drawback
and once more attract the best type of young and vigorous doctor
into this interesting and important work.
COMPARATIVE STATISTICS.
The following table indicates briefly the work of the School
Health Service during the year 1949, and shows the comparative
statistics for previous years.

* Since 1/4/45.
†Up to 81/3/45.