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75
COUNTY BOROUGH Of EAST HAM EDUCATION COMMITTEE
TO THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.
Mr. Chairman;, Ladles and Gentlemen,
I beg to present my Annual Report on the School Health Service.
The integrity and continuity of this service at a high level of
efficiency has been an important factor In ensuring that ill health should
not handicap any child in our schools from receiving the benefits of
education within his potential.
Efforts are being made to raise the standards of medical inspection
carried out in the schools, and to combine with the physical examinations,
instruction to the parents and scholars on health education.
It is felt that the seed of health education ideas thus sown at
a most opportune time and in good soil is bound to bear a rich harvest,,
for what better soil than the parent who voluntarily attends the medical
inspection?
The school health clinics and the specialist clinics complement
and augment the work thus begun, and nothing has transpired which would
alter our belief that dichotomy of the clinic services between the
Regional Hospital Board and the Local Authority would be a retrograde
step.
Reference was made in the last report to the medico-social trend
of school milk, school meals and school health on which the well-being of
the scholars was truJy founded. It can only be maintained If dental
health Is fostered among the children, for with the threatened disruption
of the school dental services one of the mainstays of the trend will be so
weakened that the whole edifice might crumble and decay.
We must win back the competent young dental surgeon to his place
at the apex of the phalanx of those who strive for prevention of illness
amongst our children. Financial considerations should not mask our
vision of vigorous and strong school-children, the pearls of our national
treasure.
I wish to express my sincere thanks to the Chairman and members
of the Education Committee for their continued encouragement and support,
and to the Chairman of the Care and Welfare Sub-Committee who by her
industry, patience and discriminating criticism has done much to further
this worth-while work.
I have the honour to be. Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
J. S. COLEMAN,
School Medical Officer.