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149
Staffing difficulties remain despite the re-organisation, in
September, of the department's community services. However, all
emergency demands upon the mental section were satisfactorily
met.
Mentally Subnormal
Referrals are received mainly from the Nursing Service which is
responsible for the "At Risk" register and whose information is
obtained from hospitals, midwives, M. & C.W. clinics, doctors and
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
No. of new referrals 40
No. of old cases seen 23
Disposal of Cases
Since investigation, two Greenwich children have been
admitted to Maze Hill Junior centre, five to the Greenwich
Society for Mentally Handicapped Children (Eltham
Creche) and 29 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