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To the Chairman and Members of the
Heston and Isleworth Urban District Education Committee.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I beg to present the Annual Report of the School Medical
Officer for the year ending 31st December, 1919.
Several changes took place in the School Medical Staff during
the year and have to be recorded. Dr. W. B. Reid, your late
Medical Officer, died, and pending the appointment of a suceessor,
the work was carried on by part-time officers.
Mr. Fritche resigned his position as School Dentist, and Mr.
I. Cohen was appointed in his place.
Dr. Kerr Simpson, your first whole-time Assistant Medical
Officer, was appointed in July, and my appointment as School
Medical Officer began August 1st.
The appointment of a full-time Assistant School Medical Officer
has made it possible to develop the School Medical Service in
various directions. The medical inspection clinics are now hold
more frequently, while the organisation of the routine medical
inspection and re-examination work has been greatly facilitated.
It is, however, sometimes difficult to take full advantage of the
services of the Assistant Medical Officer, owing to the absence of
an available Health Visitor. The time of the Health Visitors is
now so much taken up with attendances at clinics and inspections
that difficulty is frequently experienced in getting their services
for special work or even for routine visitiug. During the past
year there has been a substantial increase both in school medical
work and in other public health activities, so that the present
staff is no longer adequate. This pressure of work has been
accentuated by the frequent changes in the staff, due to resignations
in order to take up better paid posts elsewhere.
Towards the end of the year a census was prepared of the
children in attendance at public elementary schools within the
district. It is hoped to maintain this up-to-date by means of a
monthly return from headteachers of the children entering and
leaving their departments.
I am, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
W. A. BERRY.