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101
LINKS WITH PAEDIATRIC DEPARTMENTS
Developmental Screening and the Assessment of
Handicapped Children
The concept of early identification of handicap by periodic
developmental screening of all young children has its logical
counterpart in the provision of special clinics where further
investigation, treatment and comprehensive care can be initiated.
The exact localisation of assessment clinics, that is whether they
should be attached to a hospital, a special school or run by the
local authority is immaterial - such divisions are artificial. What
is essential is that hospital specialists, family doctors and those
working in community paediatrics, teachers working in special
schools and therapists in specialised departments should combine
in their efforts to see the child as a whole, for only then is it
possible to offer constructive advice to the parents and plan
realistically for the child's future.
With this in mind during 1972, closer links have been established
with the Paediatric Departments of the hospitals
associated with Wandsworth. Senior doctors from the hospitals
are now undertaking clinical sessions at the child health centres
whilst local authority doctors experienced in developmental
paediatrics, have become part of the team helping to assess
handicapped children either in hospital or in special sessions
held in local authority clinics.
At present the following arrangements are in existence:-
Queen Mary's Hospital - A Principal Medical Officer holds
Roehampton. an Assessment Clinic weekly at
(Westminster Hospital the Eileen Lecky Clinic.
Group)
- Once a month a Paediatrician
from the Hospital attends this
Clinic.
- A clinical medical officer attends
the Paediatric Department twice
weekly, to help in the assessment
of children attending the Prosthetic
Unit.