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To the Chairman and Members of the
Walthamstow Committee for Education.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I beg to present herewith a report on the School Health
Service in Walthamstow during 1949, and I would offer the
following comments on various matters :—
The provision of additional sanitary accommodation has been
commenced, but unfortunately owing to the "rationing" of
expenditure allowed, it will be many years before the arrears of
war-time renovation are overtaken and re-modelling is possible.
Nutrition remained good and the percentage noted as "poor"
remained practically unaltered.
Dr. Clarke contributes a detailed analysis of the work of the
Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic and demonstrates the good work done.
A full audiometric survey of children of suitable ages was
carried out, and the results are analysed by Dr. Melville Watkins.
Facilities for Dental Treatment, although not adequate,
remained far more satisfactory than in most other areas. There is
reference by Mr. Elmer, your Senior Dental Surgeon, to the
"awareness" of parents and pupils in regard to the value of dental
treatment.
Increasing attention was given to the control of Tuberculosis
in schools, and there appears to be every argument for the annual
routine X-ray examination both of teaching staff and "leavers,"
preferably by an increased provision of Mass Radiography.
Diphtheria Immunisation has again been stressed in the schools
and progress maintained. There was no confirmed case of
Diphtheria in the Borough.
School Meals reached a new peak of over 10,000 per day in
the Autumn, and Milk Meals were nearly 15,000 per day.
Reading lenses were tried out in the school for the partially
sighted and observations on their use are given by the Headmaster.
Your Committee is fortunate in the possession of 4 Special
Schools in Walthamstow for the various types of handicapped
children, and an increasing amount of help has been given to
pupils from other areas.
The alterations to the accommodation at the Child Guidance
Centre were completed and enabled an increase to be effected in
the staffing in order to assist with cases from adjoining areas.
In conclusion, I would wish to thank the Members of your
Committee for your consideration and support, and also the
Borough Education Officer and his colleagues. The staff engaged in
the School Health Service have contributed in maintaining both the
volume and the standard of the work done, and I would wish to
acknowledge their co-operation and help.
I am,
Your obedient Servant,
A. T. W. POWELL,
Borough School Medical Officer.