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THE SERVICE
The Service provides for periodic inspection of all children:
(a) for whom primary or secondary 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, i.e., those affecting eyes, dental,
speech, postural and breathing defects, etc., and of children with
behaviour problems, is provided at clinics in the area. Attendance of
children is normally by appointment.
Other ailments of a more serious nature are dealt with by general
practitioners or the hospital service. There is a close co-operation
between the School Health Service, general practitioners and the
hospital service.
MEDICAL INSPECTIONS
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 on reaching school leaving age.
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.
Schools are asked to provide details during the summer
holidays of all pupils who could leave the following Easter or July,
whether they are to leave or not. Those pupils requiring medical
inspection are then seen during the autumn and spring terms, thus
avoiding the examination period. These pupils are not seen again
unless full-time education at school continues for any length of time,
or any specific medical condition warrants it.
This arrangement is of considerable help to schools.
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