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74
SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICE.
School Roll and Premises.— There are 39 schools with 65 departments.
The number of children on the school roll of Primary and Secondary
Schools in Ilford on 19th December, 1958, was 23,720. which figure includes
Barking Abbey (459). In addition there were 104 children attending the
special schools.
Medical Inspection and Following Up.— During the year 7,707
periodic medical inspections were carried out and in addition, 960 special
inspections and 2,502 re-inspections were undertaken. 5,772 parents or 74.9
per cent, attended the full medical inspections.
The supervision of the medical arrangements for pupils attending
Elmbridge and Kennylands Boarding Schools continued as in previous years
and routine medical inspections were undertaken during the year by Dr.
Gross. Fortunately, there were no untoward incidents or epidemics.
The existing arrangements, however, whereby Surrey County Council
undertook dental inspection and treatment of pupils at Elmbridge School
were continued.
Staff.— Subsequent upon the resignation of Dr. P. A. C. Wright,
Assistant County Medical Officer and School Medical Officer, in November.
1958, Dr. J. M. Pooley returned to the Service in December and once again
took over the Enuresis Clinic.
Owing to the continued shortage of part-time Dental Officers it was
only possible to carry out a limited number of inspections of pupils at school.
The special swimming classes for specific types of physically handicapped
pupils, inaugurated by Mr. T. Brand, the Physiotherapist, continued
throughout the year, children attending for a one-hour session weekly. This
form of therapy has for some time been advocated by the Orthopaedic
Surgeon and all cases are referred on his recommendation. We have been
fortunate in having the valuable assistance of Mr. C. Laxton, the Ilford
Schools' Swimming Instructor and well-known National Coach.
The classes are proving to be a marked success and already some 45
cases have been referred for swimming therapy.
Our thanks are due to both Mr. Brand and Mr. Laxton for the good
work they are undertaking with these children.
Visits.—(a) The Public Health Inspectors made 1,153 visits to maintained
schools, (1) to enquire as to the milk supplies and (21 to inspect the
sanitary arrangements. In addition they made 157 home visits, 130 to
measles cases and 27 to whooping cough cases.
(b) School nurses made (i) 190 visits to schools (99 for general hygiene
and 91 for head inspections) when 18.429 individual children were examined
and 33,867 actual examinations were made, (ii) 2,860 home visits in regard
to treatment recommended, and (iii) 10 home visits to cases of minor
infectious diseases.
(c) In February, 1958, the Chief Public Health Inspector of Ilford
and his Deputy visited Kennylands and Elmbridge Schools and reported on
many defects. The recommendations for improvements in facilities and
accommodation were passed to the Principal School Medical Officer of Essex.
Specialist Services.— The various specialist clinics functioned as in
previous years and these are the subject of separate reports by the Consultants
included under the particular Clinic details.
Statistics.— The Ministry of Education Annual Returns and the summary
of heights and weights over a period of 10 years are printed at the
end of this Report.