[Report 1923] / School Medical Officer of Health, Northampton Borough.

  • Northampton (England). Borough Council.
Date:
1923
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1923] / School Medical Officer of Health, Northampton Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    School, the duties have been shared by two medical inspectors. It is now sought to effect this with one only, relieving him of most of the adminis¬ trative work by the supervision of the Medical Officer of Health. Although not very sanguine as to the result I am ready to give the new arrangement a fair trial and have to acknowledge the loyal and energetic support of my colleague. The vacancy in the nursing staff also remained unfilled till after Easter when Nurse Walker, who had resigned in August, 192?, to become Matron of the Isolation Hospital, was at her own request re-appointed. The Staff now consists of —- (1) The School Medical Officer, who is also Medical Officer of Health of the Borough. (2) An Assistant School Medical Officer, appointed also Assistant Medical Officer of Health, who is the Medical Inspector and is in charge of the School Clinic. (3) A whole-time School Dentist who acts after school hours as Dental Officer to the Maternity and Child Welfare section of the Public Health Department, an arrangement which • greatly facilitates the co-ordination of the Health Services. (4) An Ophthalmic Surgeon, and (5) A Radiologist, both of whom are on the staff of the General Hospital and devote at least one morning session each week to the work of the School Clinic. (6) Three School Nurses whose whole time is given to the service. (7) Three Clerks, one of whom assists in the clinical work of the School Dentist. (8) A Caretaker of the School Clinic premises, which includes premises for school meals and a small Occupation Centre. Co-ordination of the activities of the various sections of the Public Health Department (Schools, Tuberculosis and Child Welfare) is secured through the Medical Officer of Health, who is general administrative supervisor, and arrangements are made for mutual assistance as regards staff and for the interchange of records and other information. The work done in the Schools and at the Clinic during the year is recorded in the reports submitted to me by the Assistant School Medical Officer and the School Dentist which I present below in full. They are on the lines required by the Board of Education and closely follow those of previous years. Dr. Mason has been as concise as possible mainly because the time at his disposal for such work has been necessarily limited. His remarks on school desks and the importance of a correct posture in school