The school entry medical examination. What do teachers think of it?

Questionnaires were sent to 76 schools in the Macclesfield district. Seventy-four of these were returned by head teachers and/or reception teachers. Replies concerned the school entry medical examination, information on individual children, general health information and access to professionals. Additional comments on any aspects of the service were also solicited. The results have been analysed. The majority of teachers considered that the school entry medical examination is of value, but the quality of information reaching teachers is viewed more critically. Meetings were the most favoured means of communication, but there are obvious defects in the system. Some teachers did not even know of access channels. If improvements do not occur some of the value of the examination will be lost. Suggestions for better communications are made. With local management of schools, teacher opinion must be considered if a better school health service is to be provided for the children of the district.