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26
The interest that the parents take in the examination of their children
is very gratifying, and no opportunity is lost in making each parent
feel that his or her co-operation in the safeguarding of the health of the
child is essential to the efficiency of the School Medical Service.
Without the cordial co-operation of the Teaching Staff, especially
in the matter of cleanliness, the benefits of the School Medical Service
would be much reduced.
Their acquaintance and good relations with the parents generally
enables many obstacles to be overcome, to the benefit of the children.
By the teachers' vigilance, also, early treatment is obtained,
illness curtailed and suffering avoided, and their knowledge of family
circumstances is often helpful in determining the line of conduct in
particular cases.
The help of the teachers also is invaluable in securing regular
attendance of the children under treatment at the clinics. Their
assistance at the medical and dental inspections is freely given and much
appreciated; and although in some cases they are placed in difficulties
by the lack of accommodation in their schools, the inspections are carried
out in the smoothest possible manner.
Attendance Officers and members of the medical staff are mutually
helpful in securing the regular attendance of children at school or treatment
centre.
Two Voluntary Organisations have given useful service to the
School Medical Department, namely, the Invalid Children's Aid
Association and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Children.
The Invalid Children's Aid Association have arranged for convalescent
treatment for school children at homes or institutions other than at
Suntrap Residential Open-Air School; for the regular attendance at
hospital of cripple children, and for the supply of surgical instruments.