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To the Chairman and Members of the Education Committee:
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present the Annual Report on the School
Health Service of the London Borough of Merton for the year 1972.
This may well be my last Annual Report to you in view of the impending
reorganisation of the National Health Service which is going to be
operative with effect from 1st April, 1974.
I am, however, glad to inform you that the health of school
children in Merton during the year was very satisfactory indeed, only
one child being found unsatisfactory on medical examination. This
being the case, one could say that the general condition was better
than that in 1971, namely better than 99.7%.
Medical inspections of school children totalled 12,731 (9,123
routine inspections and 3,608 special inspections and reinspections)
compared with 13,594 (10,752 routine inspections and 2,842 special
inspections and reinspections) in 1971. At routine and other medical
inspections 3,627 defects, mostly minor in character, were found of
which 2,078 were referred for treatment and 1,549 for observation,
compared with 4,979 (2,380 for treatment and 2,599 for observation)
in 1971.
The system of selective medical examinations continued, 623
questionnaires were distributed to school children on entry to high
schools and on the recommendation of the School Medical Officer, or
at the request of the parent or both, 273 children were medically
examined.
As a result of these examinations, 12 children were referred for
treatment or observation, these being followed up by the private
doctor, or at a school clinic.
We have, however, been asked by the Department of Employment
to take note of the Employment Medical Advisory Service which
came into operation as a result of legislation in June, 1972, and the
necessary machinery has been put into operation to deal with the
responsibilities placed by it, on us. Even though there is a great deal
of reorganisation work to be done by the administrative and medical
staff, we will try to see that we are able to meet the commitments
imposed by this Act to the fullest extent.
A new Unit was established at Ravensbury School for observation
and assessment of children who were handicapped and/or in need
and this has been working satisfactorily since its establishment in
September, 1972. The liaison between the Principal School Medical
Officer, the Education Department and the Social Services Department
have been excellent.
I should especially like to thank my Deputy, Dr. G. S. Sethi,
Mr. Atkinson, my Chief Administrative Officer, and Mr. E. A. Ayling,
the Administrative Assistant of the School Health Section, for their
contribution in the preparation of this Report.
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