London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Wanstead and Woodford 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wanstead and Woodford]
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SECTION H. SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES
With the opening of Nightingale County Primary School, in Ashbourne
Avenue, South Woodford, in September, the schools in the
Borough numbered 15. Woodford Garden City Temporary County
Primary School, which had been accommodating pupils from Loughton,
was released for use as an annexe to North Woodford County
Primary (Junior) School. At the end of the year, the number of
pupils attending these schools was 6,866, an increase of nearly 600
over the figure in December 1953.
School Medical Inspections.
As in previous years a School Medical Officer visited all schools
in the Borough to carry out the routine medical inspection of pupils
who were due for examination and others referred for a "special"
inspection by the Head Teacher or parent.
The total number of children seen at these inspections was 2,768, in the following categories:—
| Routine inspection | No. esxamined | No. referred for treatment | No. referred for examination |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Group (5-7 years) | 1045 | 181 | 122 |
| 2nd Group (10-11 yrs.) | 917 | 116 | 65 |
| 3rd Group (14-16 yrs.) | 793 | 73 | 73 |
| Special Inspections | 13 | 2 | 3 |
Minor Ailment Clinics.
During the year 490 children made 639 attendances to see the
School Medical Officer at the School Clinic, 93 High Road, South
Woodford. Particulars of the defects recorded at these inspections
are given in the Appendix.
Cleanliness Surveys.
16,148 inspections of pupils attending primary and secondary
schools were carried out by School Nurses during the year. Arising
from these inspections, 115 children were found to be suffering from
head infestation and the parents were notified and advised how to
deal with the matter. Of these, the parents' efforts did not effect the
desired result in five instances and arrangements were made by the
Education Authority for the pupils to be cleansed.
Specialist Services.
As I have mentioned in my reports for previous years, these services
are the responsibility of the Regional Hospital Board, who
provide specialists in orthopaedic surgery and opthalmology to attend
at the clinic at 93, High Road, South Woodford, at regular intervals
to see children referred to them by the School Medical Officers.
These arrangements have not been altered during the past year.
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