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62
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL SCHOOL MEDICAL OFFICER
FOR THE YEAR 1966
To The Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
of the Borough.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The year under review has been one of consultation and appraisal of the services accepted from
the County Council last year. The task of arrangement following the transfer of the School Health Service
to this Borough necessitated very substantial reorganisation which fortunately has turned out to be effective
and realistic. The staff have accepted all difficulties and at the end of the year work was proceeding with
normal expedition and effectiveness.
The continuation of the routine medical inspection of the age groups in the schools of the Borough
has been maintained, and is still thought to be of substantial value, although it will be noted that exploration
has occurred in the examination of selected groups in lieu of the routine inspection in certain schools. If
this could be perfected it might represent the most profitable use of professional staffs. It is, however,
completely dependent on the co-operation between medical officer and teacher, which is the aim of the School
Health Service, always directed towards the benefit of the pupil.
Ascertainment of handicapped children continued. The placement of those handicapped in appropriate
schools, a new responsibility, taxed the technical knowledge and experience of the staff to a considerable
extent. Selecting the school most appropriate to the attainments of some of the more severely handicapped
represents a task which requires expertise and skill beyond the average.
The Audiology Unit continued to function and provided service for the partially hearing in the
school population, both of Brent and neighbouring boroughs, enabling these children to obtain full benefit
from the education offered in school. Hearing aids were supplied and, in order to ensure that these were
kept in reasonable condition and were in fact being used, a peripatetic teacher visited the schools from time
to time to discuss problems with the school teachers.
The School Dental Service continued to provide its most valuable contribution to the health of the
children and the report by the Principal Schools Dental Officer reveals the extent of this service.
The Report which is the work of many members of the Department, could be read advantageously
by all the staff of the Council and it is presented to members for attention.
Your Obedient Servant,
E. GRUNDY,
Principal School Medical Officer.