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5
To the Chairman and Members of the
Walthamstow Committee for Education.
Once again I have the honour of presenting a report on the
work of the School Health Service in the Excepted District of
Walthamstow. It has been another year of good work and steady
progress, and the following matters appear to justify comment.
The frequency of changes in the medical staff causes disquiet
and is bound up primarily with the unsatisfactory position in regard
to recruitment to the health services generally. The resignation
of Dr. Mary Sheppard was referred to in last year's report
but although away through sickness for a large part of 1951 the
resignation actually became operative early in 1952. It is difficult
to replace a medical officer of nearly 30 years' service in a town
like Walthamstow, and especially to re-establish the intimate
knowledge of the family life of those with whom the work lies.
Of necessity, the recruitment of many of the professional staff now
has to rely on married women.
The arrangement with Whipps Cross Hospital whereby members
of the School Nursing Staff accompany the Paediatrician and
begun late in 1951, was extended in 1952 to the medical staff.
Accommodation in schools is often taxed, and in the last six
years there was an increase of 3,512 children on roll since 1947,
or an increase of 21.3%. This has at times produced difficulties in
regard to the conditions under which medical inspections are
carried out.
At long last a commencement has been made with the remodelling
and renovation of some of the unsatisfactory sanitary accommodation
at schools.
Turning to the findings of medical inspections, there were at
least 479 dirty children discovered at head inspections. Although
this represents a lower percentage than that found in many areas
it leaves no room for complacency. The difficulty here is that of
dealing with a hard core of dirty families which keep up infestation.
There was a considerable increase in the incidence of squint
and reasons are suggested. The nutritional condition of children
was good and those of poor nutrition only represented half of
those found in 1951.
The position in regard to dental staffing continues far better
than in many comparable towns. The assistance of a dental
hygienist became available—and with marked success.
Attendances at minor ailment clinics have now apparently
reached a new but reduced equilibrium since the appointed day
of the National Health Service Act, which made available free
medical service to dependants.