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Toddlers Clinics
These clinics continued to be held at all maternity and child welfare
centres. During the year, owing to a reduction in the average attandances,
the Church Road clinic was changed from a weekly to a fortnightly one.
It is usual for children between the ages of two and five years to attend
these clinics. Many of them emanate from infant welfare clinics. For
others it is more suitable and convenient to attend by appointment at
intervals of approximately six months than to attend a busy infant welfare
session. Every child attends by appointment and is seen by the doctor.
Parents are most co-operative about these attendances and appear to be
fully conscious of their value. It is now common for the child's parent to
telephone the health visitor for another appointment if for any reason the
child is unable to attend. Such action cuts down the number of follow-up
visits which might be made by the health visitor and is evidence of the
easy bond that exists between them. The aim of these periodic medical
examinations is to maintain the health and well-being of the child until
he reaches school age and is subject to medical examination provided by
the school health service. Small defects are sometimes found and arrangements
made for correction before further deterioration occurs. This
visit also gives parents an opportunity of a quiet discussion with the
clinic doctor on any matter of concern to them and the child. Numbers
are limited in order to preserve the quiet unhurried character of these
occasions. Most children enjoy these visits and are sometimes reluctant
to leave. Suitable toys are always available and give obvious pleasure to
these youngsters.