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44
STAFF MEDICAL SERVICE
Normally new entrants to the Council's service are required to
complete a medical questionnaire only but certain officers, mainly those
who will be resident and working with children, are required to undergo
medical examination before taking up duties.
In addition, students intending to go to Teachers' Training Colleges
and persons living in the Borough but who propose working for another
authority are also medically examined by staff in this Department.
A total of 1539 medical questionnaires were processed. The number
of medical examinations, as mentioned above, was 147 and were carried
out by the Department's medical officers. If there is doubt as to some
condition mentioned in the questionnaire, the applicant's general
practitioner is asked for a confidential report. If there is any doubt
as to whether the applicant would be suitable for the position because
of medical reasons then the person has an interview with the Principal
Medical Officer concerned with this work and this happened 4 times.
Cases of long term illness and accident are assessed by a Principal
Medical Officer. This can be very time-consuming because it is important,
in order that the correct assessment be made, that the fullest details be
obtained. The number of such medical assessments were 297-284 for long
term illness and 13 accident cases. Provision is made for recommending
employees found permanently unfit to carry out their normal duties to
be offered employment in certain designated light duty posts for which
they are considered capable of occupying. It would be an advantage for
many employees who return to work after a long term illness to be allowed
to work part-time for a period before taking up full employment, however,
this has not yet been possible.
During the year 40 heavy goods vehicle drivers were examined in
accordance with the Traffic Legislation.
There was a considerable increase in these activities during the
year and the number of sessions held was 116 against 101 for 1970.
TRAINING
Apart from the statutory requirements to provide training for
pupil midwives, the Council has arrangements for training other nursing
staff for specific duties.
District Nurses
The Council continued the course of practical training for State
Enrolled Nurses approved by the Department of Health and Social Security
and one nurse successfully completed the course. The practical instruction
for 8 nurses from St. Matthew's Hospital continued and a similar scheme
for 9 nurses from St. Bartholomew's Hospital has now started.