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THE SERVICE
The Service provides for periodic inspections of all children:
(a) for whom primary, secondary or further education is provided
by the Local Education Authority at any school or college
maintained by them, and
(b) receiving primary or secondary education under special arrangements
made by the Local Education Authority otherwise
than at school.
The treatment of minor ailments, eye, dental, speech, postural
and breathing defects, and of children with behaviour problems, is
provided at Clinics in the area. Attendance of children is normally by
appointment. Other forms of treatment are provided by general
practitioners or the hospital services. There is close co-operation
between the School Health Service, general practitioners and hospitals.
MEDICAL INSPECTIONS
The system of medical inspections, modified to include a selective
medical examination of pupils entering High Schools and approved
by the Education Authority in July, 1969, was subject to committee
review in September, 1970, after a year in operation.
A full report was submitted and approval was given for the
system to continue.
The following schedule of examinations is now carried out: —
(a) PRIMARY SCHOOL
(i) Full medical inspection during the first year.
(ii) Hearing test at six years.
(iii) Vision test at seven years.
(b) MIDDLE SCHOOL
(i) Full medical inspection during the first year, including
colour vision test.
(ii) Hearing tested during last year in middle school.
(c) HIGH SCHOOL
(i) Selective medical examination plus vision during first year.
(ii) Full medical inspection during the school leaving year.
The selective medical examination involves the sending of a
confidential questionnaire to the parents of all pupils in the age group.
Following scrutiny of the completed medical questionnaires by school
medical officers, pupils are selected for medical examination. The
child's progress at school is also taken into account.
AUDIOMETRY AND AUDIOLOGY
Details are given below of audiometric primary testing carried
out during the year:—
Number of primary schools visited 39
Number of children tested 2,755
Number of primary failures 233
Number of middle schools visited 15
Number of children tested 2,029
Number of middle failures 196
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