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HEALTH OF SCHOOL CHILDREN IN WEST HAM
IN 1938
SCHOOL POPULATION
On the 31st December, 1959, there were 27,843 children on the school rolls, as
compared with 28,379 on the corresponding day of 1958. The slight decline in school
population during the past few years had continued.
MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS
Periodic Examinations
The medical examination of school children was carried out in accordance with the
provisions of the School Health Service and Handicapped Pupils Regulations, 1953, in which
a minimum of three inspections during school life is advised. During the current year, the
School Health Service Regulations 1959 came into operation on 1st April. In the Circular
which accompanied the Regulations, the Ministry encouraged flexibility in the arrangements
for the medical examination of school children. This welcome suggestion will be considered
in relation to future policy, but no change was made during the year.
In West Ham it has been the practice for many years to carry out the three periodic
medical inspections as follows:- infant school entrants are examined at five years within
their first year at school, junior pupils at 10 years of age in their last year at junior
school, and senior pupils at 14 years of age during their last year at secondary modern
school. At the grammar and technical schools the pupils are examined at 14 years and, in
addition, in the last year of their school life.
There was a decrease of 818 in the number of periodic medical examinations and an
increase of 1,032 in the number of special examinations and 8.229 in re-examinations. On
balance there was a considerable increase in the amount of work carried out this year compared
with the previous year. Tables setting out the work relating to medical examination will
be found in the Appendices at the end of this Report.
Physical Condition. The medical offIcer,s survey at the periodic medical
examinations include an assessment of the child's physical condition. This is graded as
"Satisfactory" or "Unsatisfactory". The figures for 1956, 1957, 1958 and 1959 are as
follows:-
Year Satisfactory Unsatisfactory
1956 99.87% 0.13%
1957 99.90% 0.10%
1958 99.80% 0.20%
1959 99.90% 0.10%
The latest available figure for the country as a whole is:England
and Wales:-
1959 98.4% 1.6%
All the children found to be of "unsatisfactory physical condition" were carefully
followed up. Detailed medical Investigation, in conjunction with general practitioners
and specialists, were carried out and supplemented by social reports on home conditions
by the Health Visitor. After which all necessary steps were taken to ensure maximum
improvement.
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