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62
In a statement dealing with the work of the clinic during the period from April
to December, 1931, the medical director of the clinic mentioned that 297 cases were
accepted for treatment, of whom 134 attended Council schools of different categories.
This shows that a certain number of children have been referred to the clinic otherwise
than through the school organisation.
The reasons for which children were referred were seldom simple, because simple
behaviour difficulties yield to ordinary management.
So far as treatment is concerned, it is understood that in about 10 per cent, of
the cases the service was merely advisory. In 45 per cent, some simple form of
treatment was carried out ; and in the remaining 45 per cent, the full resources of
the clinic, medical, psychological and social, were brought to bear upon the cases.
The number of children requiring direct mental treatment was extremely small.
As to the duration of treatment, the cases fall into two groups. Those in which
some slight or partial service was given were, on an average, under treatment for a
period of about five months. Those in which more intricate and difficult treatment
was carried out required in most cases about 18 months' observation.
The results of the treatment are on the whole encouraging. In the field of child
guidance it is usually a comparatively simple matter to dispel any particular symptom,
and in many cases this has been done at one interview. The disappearance of the
symptom, however, seldom indicates that the problem is satisfactorily solved, since
the underlying cause is still present, and will almost inevitably give rise to future
difficulties. A "satisfactory" result is recorded, therefore, only if the symptoms
complained of disappear, and, in addition, other signs of behaviour or personality
difficulty have been adjusted. The result is considered "fair" if the symptoms for
which the child was referred disappear, but where it is felt that some fundamental
difficulty still remains. In the majority of cases, where the result is regarded as
"poor," the reason was due to lack of co-operation on the part of the parents.
A survey of all the cases referred to the clinic shows that a "satisfactory "result
was obtained in about 60 per cent., a "fair "result in 21 per cent., and a "poor"
result in 19 per cent. From a follow-up survey of cases completed since the opening
of the clinic, it appears that the number of relapses is very small.
The Board of Education, in May, 1931, agreed to recognise the attendance
of school children at the guidance clinic at Maudsley Hospital, Denmark-hill, as
attendance at school under the provisions of the Education Act, 1921.
The following report on the work of the clinic during the year has been received
through the medical superintendent, Dr. Mapother.
During the year 339 new cases were seen. By far the greater number of these were referred
from the schools, either by the school medical officer, or through the care committees. The
remainder come from other hospitals, private practitioners, various agencies for the care of children
or attend spontaneously.
The total number of attendances during the year, including both new and old cases, and also
those attending by special appointment, was 2,135.
The following statements show the source of reference, the reasons for reference, and the
results of the year's working:—
Source of reference of new patients.
Other hospitals 30
Private doctors 65
Spontaneous 38
School authorities 174
Other sour 32
Total 339
Maudsley
Hospital
guidance
clinic.