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STAFF
At the end of 1966, the senior professional staff engaged whole or part time on school
health service duties consisted of the Principal School Medical Officer, an Associate Medical
Officer of Health, a Principal Medical Officer, a Senior Assistant Medical Officer, the Chief Dental
Officer, the Chief Nursing Officer and the Principal Social Worker (Health Services). The total
complement of staff, expressed as whole time equivalent was:-
Medical - 5.3
Nursing - 17.5
Social workers - 2.1
Speech therapists - 4.5
Dental officers - 5.25
Dental surgery assistants - 5.4
Health education officer - 0.5
In spite of staff changes, particularly among school nurses, it has been possible to build
up an esprit de corps, often through meetings with the opportunity for group discussion. Senior
professional staff have also made themselves available for consultation at all times.
MEDICAL INSPECTIONS
Routine inspections were held at all schools except in a small number where a system
of selective medical examinations of 7 year olds was in force. Because of a number of unavoidable
changes in medical and nursing staff it was not possible during 1966 to extend the system of
selection to other schools, where after consultation with head teachers this is considered desirable.
Number of Medical inspections:-
Routine examinations 7,304
Special inspections 2,328
Reinspections 3,380
Total 13,012
STUDENT HEALTH SERVICE
During the year attention was given to the gradual development of the student health
service. Forty sessions were held at Kingsway Day College and six at Holborn College of Law,
Languages and Commerce. The arrangement at Holborn was inaugurated in November and provides
an advisory service for students from the Holborn College and from the Central College of Art and
Design. In continuation of the practice of the former London County Council, a doctor visited
Princeton College on twelve occasions during the year to examine students for admission to the
classes for physically handicapped persons.
The medical officer who conducted medical advisory sessions at Kingsway Day College
throughout 1966 has given an interesting account of her work during the year. She found the needs
of the service for the College quite distinctly divided according to the grouping of the students.
Day release students tended not to make any demands, since, as may be expected, their medical
care is orientated either with the family doctor or with the works doctor. The problems which the
student health service was asked to deal with were mainly amongst the full time students doing
'O' and 'A' level courses and the Adjustment to Work groups. Amongst the students pursuing full-time
academic courses there was very little direct physical ill health but anxiety based on socio-economic
or socio-psychological factors. The social worker, who attended all the medical sessions, was able to
do a great deal to relieve pressures on the students by getting local authority grants, or supplementary
grants from charity, such as travel and luncheon vouchers and also extra allowances for clothing.
She also carried out liaison work between the hospitals, clinics, college and general practitioners.
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