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As the effectiveness of the Child Guidance service depends largely on the early
detection, and early treatment of child difficulties, measures to ensure the achievement
of these aims should be considered an essential feature of the future policy of the
West Ham Child Guidance Clinic. If the waiting list is to be maintained at a negligible
figure, the Educational Psychologist should be available for clinic work for a greater
number of sessions than is at present possible, and a full-time Psychiatric Social
Worker should be appointed. Use of the services of the Child Guidance Team on a wider
scale for the dessemination of the principles of mental hygiene amongst the parents,
teachers and doctors of the area, would be of great prophylactic value and would help
towards the early detection of behaviour disorders in children.
STAFF
Psychiatrists:
Dr. Riordan. Medical Director
(appointed Spring 1949)
Dr. Somerville.
Dr. Matheson (Until June 1949)
Dr. Glancy.
Dr. Easton.
Miss Frankford.
Psychologist:
Psychiatric Social
Worker:
Mrs. Kelly. On loan from National
Association for Mental Health since
l6th May, 1949. Services divided
between Child Guidance Clinic and Mental
Health Services, under National Health
Service Act.
STATISTICS.
Interviews at clinic-
Psychiatric Interviews 6l4
Appointments made with Psychiatrists 849
Psychologist's Interviews 495
Psychiatric Social Worker's 253
Interviews outside the Clinic-
School visits by Psychologist 84
Home Visits by Psychiatric Social Worker. 44
Other Visits by Psychiatric Social Worker. 4
x Cases newly referred 123
x Cases carried over from 1948 waiting list- 75
Total No. Children seen in 1949. viz.
1949 cases 140
1948 Treatment cases 14
Disposal:
Never attended 35
Attended for testing only 20
Diagnosis & Advice only 13
Tested, awaiting Diagnosis 6
Under Treatment 50
Diagnosed awaiting treatment 5
Closed, adjusted or improved 15
Closed before end of treatment 31
Waiting List 23
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