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Medical work has been more closely linked up with the
Maternity and Child Welfare work, and four nurses now carry
out the work formerly requiring three Health Visitors and two
School Nurses when the departments were separate. Each
nurse is now responsible for definite schools and areas, and the
increased record of work speaks for itself.
(b)School Denial Clinic:—During the year, the Medical
Inspection Sub-Committee gave full consideration to the report
of the Inspecting Medical Officer of the Board of Education on
the work of the Dental Clinic, in conjunction with the reports
of the School Medical Officer and School Surgeon Dentist. The
work and administration of Medical Inspection and Treatment,
is at present under review.
Consideration was also given to the question of making
special appointments for "treatment" cases, with the view to
prevention of undue waiting by parents at the Clinic. It was
decided to continue the present arrangement of making appointments
in batches for a further period.
A considerable amount of propaganda work among parents
and scholars has been undertaken in this section during 1925,
and it is hoped to increase this important work in 1926. It
is only by educating parents and children in the importance
of strict dental hygiene that the best results can be attained.
(c)Ophthalmic Clinic:—The Managers of both local Hospitals
agreed to the resolution of the Wimbledon Education
Committee passed early in 1925, to the effect that:—
"This Committee would be prepared as from 1st
January, 1925, to enter into arrangements for the inpatient
treatment for eye complaints of school children,
under the care of the school oculist, similar to those made
for the performance at the hospitals of minor throat
operations, the charge to this Committee for maintenance
for each child undergoing such treatment, to be at the
rate of £1 1s. 0d. a week."
Co-ordination:—As stated above, the members of the
School Medical Service work in close co-ordination with the
other branches of the Public Health Service. The same Medical
and Nursing staff carries out the combined duties of
Maternity, Infant, and Child Welfare, together with the work
among school children. The School Treatment Clinic is available
for infants and children under 5 years, both in regard to
minor ailments and to the treatment of eye, ear, nose and throat
conditions. An endeavour is being made to summarise the
medical histories of such children each year, which information
will be of great importance when the children enter on
their school career.
There are no Nursery Schools in Wimbledon, but the children
attending the Municipal Day Nursery are examined by
the Medical Staff each week.
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