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101
ROYAL BOROUGH OF KINGSTON UPON THAMES
ANNUAL REPORT
of the
PRINCIPAL SCHOOL MEDICAL OFFICER
for the year 1972
To the Chairman and Members of the Education Committee
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am pleased to present the annual report on the School
Health Service in the new Royal Borough for 1972.
I have the following comments to make on certain items:
School Health Service
The population of maintained schools in the borough increased
by 1,077 pupils during the year.
Of the 4.992 children examined at periodic medical inspections
704 (14.1 per cent) were found to be in need of treatment. This compares
with 654 (13.4 per cent) for 1971. Of those examined only three children
were found to be in an unsatisfactory condition.
Vaccination and Immunisation
During the year immunisation against rubella (German measles)
was offered to all girls during their 12th year of life, and 978 girls
received protection. This immunity is given to prevent infection
during pregnancy, with the attendant high risk of foetal abnormality.
Speech Therapy
Speech therapy for pre-school children continued to be a most
important part of the work undertaken by the therapists. The new
special class for speech defective children in a school in Chessington
has now been in operation for one year and the children have responded
well to the daily therapy and this has improved their educational
progress.