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One can only hazard a guess that the smaller number of cases coming under the
heading of "special examination for psychological development" is due to many of these
cases being discovered earlier and particularly in the pre-school period.
The number of cases coming under the heading of "special examination for
psychological stability" as dealt with in the school clinic showed no significant change
in comparison with the previous year.
Re-Examinations denote, as in the past, children referred from previous medical
examinations, and are conducted either at school or at school clinic.
Figures relating to this work will be found in the appendices at the end of this
report.
THE SCHOOL NURSES AND HEALTH VISITOR/SCHOOL NURSES
The work of the school nurse is complementary to that of the school medical officer
and includes the following:-
1. Home and school visiting - so that they may relate the observations of the
individual child's health and behaviour to his family and school background.
2. Health Education.
3. Treatment at school clinics of minor ailments requiring dressings, etc.
4. Routine inspections of pupils for cleanliness; school nurses inspect all
children in school each term. The nurses' inspections are the basis of
the "cleansing" scheme and give an opportunity for education in personal
hygiene. There has been great progress since the early days but a small
percentage of children are still found to be infested and the inspections
must, therefore, go on.
5. Preparation of pupils for medical inspections, i.e., weighing and measuring,
vision testing;
6. Assisting the school medical officer at medical inspections, e.g., by
obtaining history and providing details of home conditions.
The school nurses keep under supervision children who should wear glasses and
hearing aids, and generally see that the medical officer's advice is understood and
followed. This extends to the children's homes, where related matters are discussed
with parents.
With the general improvement in social and environmental standards the character
of the school nurse's work has been gradually changing. Her time is no longer devoted
mainly to instruction regarding the treatment of defects, but her function has become
more truly preventive and concerned with fundamental health education. The ultimate
aim is to conduct this work in a more comprehensive way by means of talks and group
discussions but, at present, this is still very limited. The best approach to health
education in schools is still a controversial matter. In the meantime, in the absence
of a more organised and formal approach, the school nurses do their utmost to help the
children on matters of hygiene and prevention of illness, in their individual approach
during hygiene inspection and whenever opportunity arises.
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