[Report 1970] / Medical Officer of Health, Aberdeen City.

  • Aberdeen (Scotland). City Council.
Date:
1970
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1970] / Medical Officer of Health, Aberdeen City. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    the departments dealing with children for behavioural, emotional or learning difficulties. 605 children were referred during the year. In connection with children referred by teachers and others to the Centre, 7 special medical examinations were carried out. 17. Remedial Facilities. The Department of Physical Education runs 11 area Remedial Clinics for pupils suffering from such conditions as bronchitis, asthma, poor posture and flat feet. Two qualified teachers of physical education are in charge of the clinics at w ich 112 children have been attending regularly throughout the session. All cases are referred by medical staff of the School Health Service and a medical check-up is carried out at regular intervals. 37 children were discharged after assessment by the medical officers. This service is greatly appreciated by the School Health Service. 18. Absence from School. General sickness, colds, stomach complaints and influenza were the main reasons for absence from school. The overall school attendance rate for the year was 93.47 per cent. School Welfare Officers paid 11.049 visits on account of illness (compared with 11,418 visits in 1968-1969). 19. Truancy and Delinquency. 888 children were dealt with by School Welfare Officers for truancy (an increase of 189 over the previous year). 112 children and young persons caught pilfering from stores were dealt with y the School Welfare Department. The number dealt with shows an increase of from last year. Though disturbing, it is gratifying to know that very few of these children ever commit further offences. 20. Drug Misuse. Recently there has been a great deal of publicity on the subject of drug misuse. We learn that the problem is not only growing in the south but there is a definite tendency of lowering of the age incidence of those involved. Enquiries from police and school welfare sources revealed total absence of the problem in our schools. However, we cannot afford to be complacent and a careful watch has to be main- tained by all those dealing with children particularly by the parents themselves, w o are likely to be the first to observe any sign of drug taking in their children and to get information about “pushers” of the drug. 21. Road Safety Instructions in Schools. As in previous years, Aberdeen City Police instructed school pupils in road safety measures. Arrangements were made for three or four visits to be paid to some of the larger schools and for two visits to be paid to the majority of other