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REPORT OF PRINCIPAL SCHOOL MEDICAL OFFICER
SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICE
I take this opportunity of thanking the head teachers of all the schools in the borough for
their help during the year, particularly in the arrangements for medical inspections at school.

This shows an increase of 515 pupils over the previous year.
Periodic Medical Examinations
During 1972 periodic medical inspections were carried out on
(1) all new entrants to school
(2) all school leavers
Selective medical examinations are carried out on all pupils in their eighth and eleventh
years. 48.6% of children in the 8 year old age group and 47.4% in the 11 year old age group
were selected for full medical examination. The selection for full medical examination is
carried out by a medical officer after scrutinising each parent's completed questionnaire and the
pupil's school medical records. Children also have a full medical examination when this is
requested by a parent or head teacher.
In addition to periodic medical inspections pupils have a vision test at 5,8,11,13 and 14'/4 years
of age and a colour vision test at the age of 11 years. Pupils aged 6 years have a screening test
for hearing carried out by an audiometrician.
There are three independent schools within the borough who avail themselves of these services
with the consent of the Council
Homefield School
St. Hilda's School
Wallington Independent Grammar School (now closed)
Special Medical Examinations and Re-examinations
Pupils are re-examined when necessary following periodic and selective medical inspections or
when referred for examination by the head teacher, school nurse and at the request of parents.
These pupils are examined either at the school or at general medical clinics.
The total number of re-examinations in 1972 was 1680 ( 2119).
Full details of defects found at periodic and special medical inspections are given in the
appendix to this report - see Tables VII and VIII in Itie Appendix.
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