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2.—CO-ORDINATION.
The administrative work of the School Medical Service is carried out in the Health
Department under the supervision of the School Medical Officer who is also Medical Officer of
Health with charge of the Council's scheme for Maternity and Child Welfare.
Dr. Roberts and Dr. Lewis are engaged in school medical work as well as the other health
services. This applies also to the nursing and clerical staff, so that co-ordination of all the
services is complete.
The popularity and success of our Maternity and Child Welfare work continues to increase,
and whereas in 1926 there were two Centres each open for two afternoon sessions per
week, there are now four Centres with a total of ten sessions weekly. Children may attend
these Centres until they reach the age of five years, and upon the recommendation of the Medical
Officers, may, before they reach school age, attend the School Clinics for treatment of visual and
dental defects and minor ailments. X-ray treatment for Ringworm can also be arranged.
The service of the health of pre-school children is, at present, entirely on a voluntary basis.
They come to the Infant Welfare Centres as a result of the good work done there, but even there
it falls very far short of what is in the interests of the children.
It is true however, that these children are followed up by the Health Visitors as far as
time will allow. Special attention is paid to those who are likely to become Table III cases and
when they attain school age they are called to the School Clinics and are kept under observation
there.
Personally, I see no hope for dealing adequately with the two to five years age group which
provides us with many untreated defects, except through Nursery Schools, where with compulsory
attendance goes compulsory medical inspection.
3.—THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE IN RELATION TO
PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
School Hygiene.
The School buildings and sanitary arrangements are periodically inspected, and a complete
survey of the schools is made from time to time. Every school in the district is visited at least
twice a year by a Medical Officer.
During the year under review, however, there were no special efforts made for critical
reporting on the matters under the headings detailed in the memorandum Form 6M (Schedule)
from the Board of Education, issued as a guidance for the Reports of School Medical Officers on
the year's work.
4.—MEDICAL INSPECTION.
The age groups selected for inspection are those laid down by the Board of Education,
viz :—
1. All new entrants (5 year old children).
2. Second Age Group (8 year old children).
3. Third Age Group (12 year old children).
4. Other Routine Inspections.
Every school in the Borough has been visited twice by a Medical Officer during the year—
once for a routine medical inspection, and subsequently for the re-examination of children who
had been found to need treatment or observation.
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