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5
To the Chairman and Members of the
Walthamstow Committee for Education.
I present herewith a report for the year 1955 on the School
Health Service in the Excepted District of Walthamstow and offer
the following comments.
Again there were several changes in medical staffing, and
notably the departure of Dr. Melville Watkins to take up duties
as Medical Officer of Health, Divisional School Medical Officer and
Area Medical Officer to the Borough of Leyton. Dr. Watkins had
served Walthamstow, and especially its children, most faithfully
for nearly 15 years. For my own part I can only acknowledge his
loyalty and support during this period.
The Architect's report refers to the improvements in the
sanitary accommodation at three schools with work in progress at
others at the end of the year. Much remains to be done, especially
if the schools are to be fully adequate for the teaching of personal
hygiene. It is imperative that proper hand washing facilities should
be provided in all cases.
Uncleanliness again reached a new low record. Dental inspections
at schools were nearly doubled and the services of a specialist
anæsthetist provided by the Regional Hospital Board were much
appreciated. The incidence of tuberculosis amongst children con'
tinued at a low level, and a further audiometric survey was completed
and is reported upon.
The report records the visit of several German Child Guidance
Workers to the Clinic. There was a large reduction in the number
of children recommended for convalescence.
Early in 1956 the Medical Research Council issued the first
report of the B.C.G. trials in which Walthamstow participated. The
report affords complete proof of the value of B.C.G. vaccination and
vindicates the policy of extending it to school leavers now in the
third year of operation.
The recorded percentage of children vaccinated against smallpox
remains far too low at 29.8 and stresses the need to increase the
rate of infant vaccination. It is at this age that it is done with the
least risk and discomfort and it is very necessary in view of the
increasing risk of introduction of smallpox from air travel. There
is also the need for vaccination in adult life on account of National
Service and foreign travel.
The Specialist Clinics and the Special Schools have contributed
to the completeness of the School Health Services in Walthamstow
and have again done good work.