London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Greenwich 1966
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough]
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health visitors. Others originate from the Education Authority.
If a child is, or appears to be mentally retarded, arrangements are
made for him/her to be seen at a Special Clinic to which the parents
are invited, transport to and from the clinic being provided where
necessary. A child found to be retarded is seen at three monthly
intervals but, if conditions other than mental are revealed, then
the child is referred to the general practitioner or appropriate
hospital department. It is not usual for children to be seen before
the age of two years but at the age of five years they are subject
to statutory examinations in accordance with Section 57 of the
Education Act, 1944, and if found necessary they are either recommended
for attendance at Special Schools or referred to the Local
Health Authority for admission to training centres.
At the request of a parent, but in any event at approximately
yearly intervals, a child is re-examined. In a case where education
at a special school is found to be unsuitable, the child is referred
to the local health authority for admission to a training centre and,
conversely, if a child attending a training centre is found to be
educationally suitable, transfer to an appropriate school is arranged.
Special Investigation Clinic
This clinic continues to be under the direction of Dr. J. Dunkley, Visiting Medical Officer from the Greater London Council and a Social Worker from the Mental Health Section also attends.
| Children Seen | Greenwich | Lewisham |
|---|---|---|
| No. of new referrals | 45 | _ |
| No. of old cases seen | 17 | 3 |
| Since investigation, 15 Greenwich children have been admitted to Maze Hill Junior centre, 7 to the Greenwich Society for Mentally Handicapped Children (Eltham Creche") and 28 not to re-attend. | ||
Prior to attaining the age of 16 years, mentally handicapped
school-leavers are brought to the notice of the mental health
service and, as previously indicated, the question of 'after-care' is
settled by discussions between the deputy principal mental health
officer and the school head. Similar steps are taken with regard to
maladjusted school-leavers at the age of 15 years since these
children are classified as mentally ill. There is the closest cooperation
between the Mental Health Service and that of the
Divisional School Care Organiser.
It is the policy for community care to cease at the age of 18
years provided employment is well tolerated and no adverse reports
are received.