[Report 1921] / School Medical Officer of Health, Swinton & Pendlebury.

  • Swinton and Pendlebury (England). Council.
Date:
1921
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1921] / School Medical Officer of Health, Swinton & Pendlebury. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    School Baths. Baths are not provided in any of the schools. At present the children in limited numbers make use ol the Public Baths at stated times, which, although useful as a means of physical development, cannot be expected to maintain a desirable standard of personal cleanliness amongst the children generally. School baths are in¬ cluded in the provision contemplated for the Open Air School. Co-operation of Parents. Parents are notified by the teachers beforehand of the date and time of the examination of their children. They are invited to attend and consult the School Medical Officer. The attendance at Routine Examination is small, except when infants are concerned, as parents have got to know that in the event of a defect being found, they will be visited or notified by the Staff. Attendance at special examinations, for defects noted previously is the rule, and as a whole parents co-operate willingly, although not always with enthusiasm. When difficulties arise in securing co-operation of parents, it is usually because cer¬ tain defects seem to them too trivial for interference. The public, however, is becoming acquainted with the need for ascertaining and remedying defects at the earliest possible stage. Personal interviews with parents have proved the most successful means of obtaining their co-operation. These are supplemented in many instances by letters of instruction. Sometimes it is found that a Specialist's opinion is more readily followed, and where possible and advisable, this is secured for parents, either locally or in Manchester. The teachers assist willingly and obligingly. So much lies in their power. Their influence with parents is marked, and freely used in securing the co-operation of parents. Head teachers usually attend the Medical Inspection, and are acquainted with the defects found. Record cards are prepared by them, and the children are supervised for defects and for Infectious Diseases, weekly returns of which are sent to the School Medical Officer. In these and many