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To the Chairman and Members of the Education Committee:
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gendemen,
I have the honour to present the Annual Report on the School
Health Service of the London Borough of Merton for the year 1069.
The health of school children in Merton during the year was
very good, the percentage whose general condition was found to be
satisfactory being 99.93 compared with 99.98 in 1968.
School medical inspections totalled 9,299 (6,741 routine inspections
and 2,558 special inspections and reinspections) compared with
12,906 (10,401 routine inspections and 2,505 special inspections and
reinspections) in 1968. At routine and other medical inspections
4,983 defects, mostly minor in character, were found of which 2,211
were referred for treatment and 2,772 for observation, compared with
6,491 (3,170 for treatment and 3,321 for observation) in 1968.
It was decided to introduce a system of selective medical examination
to coincide with the beginning of comprehensive educadon in
the Borough.
Selective medical examination is designed to enable the School
Medical Officer to have more time to concentrate on those pupils who
most require attention and who would most benefit by continuing
medical supervision. The new system was approved by the Education
Committee, subject to review at the end of the school year.
In fact, during the current year no selective medical examinations
were carried out, although plans were in readiness to commence these
in 1970. It would have been impossible to have full information from
the Head Teachers of the schools and to receive the completed questionnaires
as at that particular time pupils were being transferred from
the middle schools to the high schools.
Considerable staffing difficulties were encountered during the year;
first, as pointed out in the report on the Child Guidance Service, the
departure of Dr. Lomas at the end of March depleted the staff for
this service, which was without a second Child Psychiatrist for the
majority of the year. In addition, the staff of School Medical Officers
was seriously affected by prolonged absence, one due to sickness, one
following an accident and one due to pregnancy leave. In addition,
Dr. D. Lowry, Senior Medical Officer, resigned in early October to
take up a post with the Greater London Council, and his vacant post
had not been filled by the end of the year.
I am grateful for the help and co-operation received from the
Chief Education Officer and his staff, from Head Teachers and from
the many School Secretaries in the Borough. My thanks are also given
to the medical, dental, nursing and other staff of the Department for
the satisfactory and efficient manner in which their respective duties
were carried out during the year.
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