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CRECHES
Children can be piaced increches for an afternoon at eight of the clinic centres
by mothers who wish to attend the mothers' club, or sewing class at the centre or who
have hospital appointments. Creches also provide facilities for mothers to berelieved
of their children for 2 or 3 hours during the day, and provide an opportunity for an
only child to associate with other children of the same age.
No charge is made where the mother is attending a centre activity, but a charge
of 9p per session is made if the mother wishes to leave her child there whilst she
attends to shopping or other domestic duties.
ASSESSMENT CLINIC
Almost four years ago a combined local authority and hospital assessment clinic
was set up for the detection of all defects which might be present, i.e. defects of
function, delay in development and behaviour and the social limitations interfering
with or preventing normal development of children.
The Assessment Clinic is based at the London Hospital Children's Outpatients
Department, where aclinic for children with cerebral palsy was already in existence.
The clinic functions on one day a week, and although it serves mainly Tower Hamlets,
children from neighbouring boroughs are also seen.
Increasing numbers of children are being referred by the local authority medical
officers following consent having been obtained from the family doctor, and by
consultant paediatricians from other hospitals in the borough, as more doctors, health
visitors and social workers concerned in the care of these children realise the value
of early assessment, treatment and training of both physically and mentally handicapped
children.
The staff of the Assessment Clinic consists of a Consultant paediatrician, a
Principal Medical Officer of the Health Department, a Psychologist, two Physiotherapists,
an Occupational Therapist, a Speech Therapist, aMedical Social Worker, Health Visitor
and a Nursing Sister.
Apart from diagnostic assessments, follow-up assessments are made to ensure
comprehensive continuing care which includes parent guidance, counselling and
integration of care and supervision of all concerned.
A child wi..th a phys i cal handicap e.g. cerebral palsy, andhis/her parents , receive
any necessary help and supervision by the physiotherapists and occupational therapist,
who also obtain any special equipment or appliance considered necessary for the child.
The Principal Medical Officer and the Health Visitor co-ordinate the work of the
clinic and health department ensuring that these children, who are placed on the
Observation Register, receive continuing support from the community. Any help that
can be given by local authority facilities is recommended e.g. attendance at a day
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