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EMPLOYMENT MEDICAL ADVISORY SERVICE
Before the introduction of the Employment Medical Advisory
Service expected in February, 1973, the medical supervision of young
people entering employment was arranged in two parts:—
(i) During the young person's last year at school the School
Medical Officer considered whether limitations should be
imposed in relation to different work conditions. If so, these
were indicated on form Y9 (Y10 in respect of substantially
handicapped young people) which was sent to the local
careers officer.
(ii) In employment subject to the Factories Act, 1961, young
people had to be medically examined by the appointed Factory
Doctor within 14 days of starting work in a factory and
thereafter annually until they became IB.
There was little contact between the two systems.
In 1964 the Industrial Health Advisory Committee set up a Subcommittee
to review the appointed Factory Doctor service in the light
of modern social conditions and their recommendations were embodied
in the Employment Medical Advisory Service Act which received
Royal Assent on 11th May, 1972.
The Employment Medical Advisory Service which is due to commence
in February, 1973, replaces the appointed Factory Doctors and
depends on close co-operation between School Medical Officers,
careers officers and the new Employment Medical Advisers.
The School Health Service will continue to be responsible for
identifying those pupils who are not unconditionally fit for employment
and the Department of Education recommendation that this
assessment by them should be carried out at the beginning of the
pupil's last year of education, whether school leaving is intended or
not, had already been put into effect in the Borough previously.
The fitness of school leavers for certain types of employment
having regard to any disability they have, will be considered by School
Medical Officers within the criteria of the existing form Y9. If completed,
a copy of the form will be sent to the Employment Medical
Adviser, the careers officer and the general practitioner.
When the service is in operation, the responsibility of the School
Health Service in relation to potential school leavers will be increased
as it will be necessary to ensure as far as possible that all are medically
examined and that any who are not examined are followed up.
AUDIOMETRY
Details are given below of audiometric primary testing carried
out during the year:—
Number of primary schools visited 49
Number of children tested 2,659
Number of primary failures 149
Number of middle schools visited 15
Number of children tested 2,760
Number of middle failures 140
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