A brief history of the rise and fall of the School Medical Service in England

SummaryThe paper tracks the history of the School Medical Service over 150 years. The service has changed markedly during this period, with some cyclical recurrence of practice and policy. By 2006, the health of schoolchildren is of major concern, particularly the rise in nutrition-related problems including obesity: the demise of the School Health Service may well be a matter for serious regret to future generations.