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4
THE SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICE
General
The health of the school children in the borough remained
satisfactory. This service is essentially a preventive one, calling
for the closest possible co-operation not only between various services
provided within the school health service but with the other branches
of the Health Service. Every endeavour is made to promote co-operation
and a good relationship with the staff of the hospitals and with the
general practitioners in the area. As in the environmental health
service, much of the work of the school health service is of a routine,
unspectacular nature, which leads to gradual improvements in the health
and maturity of our future citizens.
School Medical Inspections
I am pleased to report that the pilot scheme of selective
medical examinations in the eight year old group of children in three
of the borough schools during the year proved successful. The Education
Committee have given authority for the selective basis to be fully
implemented in these schools in 1968, and a similar trial scheme to be
extended to the remaining junior schools at this age level.
Audiology
It is hoped to extend the sweep testing of children to new
entrants to the secondary schools in 1968.
Treatment of Psychiatric Illness
During 1967 two major events have facilitated the investigation
and treatment of psychiatric illness in families affecting children in
the borough. In the first place the Child Guidance Clinic was rehoused
in November from their cramped accommodation in Roselands Clinic to more
spacious quarters in Mecklenberg House.
The second event was the opening of the Mecklenberg Day Unit
in the premises attached to Mecklenberg House for the accommodation of
children too emotionally disturbed for normal school, yet not requiring
removal from the home environment.