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159
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. It
is doubtful if any mentally handicapped child fails to be brought to
the notice of this Directorate. 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 31
No. of old cases seen 22
Disposal of Cases
No. Referred for Statutory Examination 12
No. Referred for Play Group 2
No. Referred for admission to Eltham
Creche (Greenwich Society for
Mentally Handicapped) 8
No. Referred to Other Services 2
No. of Cases Withdrawn 25
No. of Clinics held in 1969 21