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The purpose of the school medical inspection is not merely the detection of physical
defects in the child. It gives an opportunity of gaining the confidence of the parent and
child, but in order to take full advantage of this opportunity it is essential that the
interview should be carried out in a quiet, unhurried, efficient manner, in surroundings
Which enable the doctor, nurse, parent and child, to give their attention to one another.
The interview is confidential and the premises used should make it possible to ensure that
it remains so. Unfortunately in old and overcrowded school buildings this aim cannot
always be achieved, and considerable inconvenience is caused to parents and children as
well as to teaching, nursing and medical staff.
HYGIENE OP SCHOOL PREMISES
The Standards for School Premises Regulations, 1954, lay down scales of provisions
for cloakrooms, wash-basins, water closets and urinal stalls and, in the case of county and
voluntary secondary schools, changing rooms and showers. In all county and voluntary
schools suitable accommodation should be available for dining and every school should have
sufficient and suitable kitchen accommodation.
Sufficient and suitable cloakrooms, washing and sanitary accommodation other than
that provided for the pupils should also be provided in every school for the use of the
teaching staff and the staff employed in the Schools Meals Service.
Medical officers when visiting schools for medical inspection do not confine their
attention to seeing the children, but interest themselves in the general hygienic arrangements
and the condition of the sanitary accommodation, in so far as these may affect the
health of the pupils and staff, Por a number of years now the medical officers have conducted
a review of the hygiene of each school at the completion of their periodic medical inspection.
Although the detailed reports for each school are kept in the central office, observations
made by the medical officer are sent to the Chief Education Officer whenever necessary, so
that he can consider how far and at what stage it may be practicable to implement any
recommendations. Minor matters may be remedied as they arise but certain improvements can
only be implemented by inclusion in long-term plans. During the year 44 reports were made
and dealt with in this way. In January 1955 the Primary Education Sub-Committee recommended
agreement in principle to the closing of spray baths in all schools with the exception of
Elizabeth Pry and Gurney Special Schools. It was gratifying to be able to believe that the
cleanliness of the children had improved sufficiently to make this possible.
POOD HYGIENE
The Pood Hygiene Regulations, 1955, came into operation on 1st January, 1956, and
modified and extended the hygiene requirements contained in the Pood and Drugs Amendment
Act, 1954. They apply to the supply of food in the course of a business, which is now
defined so as to include schools as well as canteens, clubs and other institutions, and
are, therefore, of much interest to the local education authority. As a measure which
encourages the maintenance of good standards of food hygiene they will be welcomed. Among
the Regulations, those which are of special importance for the school meals service are
those relating to:-
1. the personal cleanliness of the kitchen staff;
2. sanitary conveniences;
3. provision of water supply;
4. provision of wash-hand basins with hot water;
5. facilities for washing food and equipment; and
6. the temperature at which certain foods, which are particularly liable
to transmit disease, are kept in food premises.
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