asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the apparent deterioration of the position in regard to the efficiency of the school medical inspection system, he will state what steps he intends to take to ensure that this scheme is made to work as intended under legislation of many years standing.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Medical Services.
16.
I do not accept that the efficiency of the school medical inspection system has deteriorated.
If the proportion of national school children receiving medical examination each year is used as an index, there is no evidence of deterioration as the proportion has remained stable at about 30 per cent since 1960, apart from small fluctuations in two years.
I consider, however, that the number of examinations carried out annually is a very inadequate measure of the efficiency of the service as it tells us nothing about the quality of the examinations. Thus the school medical examinations in Dublin are now much more thorough with greater attention given to mental and emotional development, but the statistics of examinations do not disclose these improvements.
A four year programme for the improvement of the child health services is now being introduced and it includes, in the current year, training of assistant chief medical officers in development paediatrics, use of a new record card in school medical examinations, introduction of comprehensive school entrance medical examinations, and greater involvement of parents and teachers in the school health service.
Surely the Minister cannot be satisfied with that situation? What happens to the 70 per cent who are not examined?
I am afraid I will not discuss that matter any further because, firstly, it is to be raised on the Adjournment by Deputy Michael O'Leary on Tuesday next when I shall be very glad to answer him, and, secondly, all Deputies who wish to discuss this ought to read the child health service report. If any Deputy requires a copy of this report I shall send it to him. The report shows that, while a great many defects have been discovered at school examinations and treated, there is need for improvement.
It also shows that the extent of the examinations is the important thing; not necessarily the number of children examined each year but in how far they are examined and the time taken to examine them. It shows, for example, that the efficacy of examinations directly relates to the extent to which schoolchildren are accompanied by their parents, that in one county 84 per cent of children are accompanied by the parents while in another county the figure is only 70 per cent. It shows, therefore, that we need to have more public relations and more arrangements to bring the parents, teacher, examiner and child together.
How many more years does the Minister require?
I will send each Member of the House the announcement made on the new child health services which I thought I would incorporate in the notes which will accompany the Estimate for my Department, but I will send them as a separate document so that Deputies can see quite clearly that inquests on any deficiencies in the existing child health service are absolutely ridiculous because we are looking forward to a better child health service.
And have been doing so for the past 50 years.
Health services are improving steadily in every country and it is ridiculous for any Deputy in this House to talk as if all the health services should be perfect at all times. Many improvements are taking place in every other civilised democracy due to advancing knowledge and technique.