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KINGSLEY HALL DAY CENTRE
The extremely useful function of this nursery continues uninterrupted
by serious financial cuts or staff problems. I think that without undue
boasting we can truthfully claim to have a unique service in the handling
and help of handicapped children under the age of five years.
Our visitors - many of whom are experts in the care and assessment of
handicapped children are invariably impressed by the atmosphere of happiness
and bustling activity which is always present in spite of the often very severe
handicaps of the children, and needless to say there is a deep and lasting
appreciation from all the parents and families of the children.
In 1968 there was an average daily attendance of 12.5. There were
fifteen new admissions and eight discharges. In addition there was one death
(from carcinoma) and two removals from the Borough. The correct placing of
the children at the age of five years is one of our chief concerns. The only
trouble we encounter here is a time lag for those recommended for the Junior
Training Centre and Special Care Unit. The former has been limited by staff
shortages and the latter is at the moment being greatly enlarged and we hope
by 1970 to have no more difficulties there.
We continue to benefit greatly from our contact with Dr. Kenneth Holt
from the Institute of Child Health. He visits us once every month and he sees
that we have easy admission to his department with all its staff and facilities.
This service is of inestimable value to us. Apart from this service, he
encourages our staff to visit the assessment centre and see all the work that
goes on, which is much appreciated by everybody.
We also have great assistance from Mr. David Berman who is Reader in Child
Dental Health at the London Hospital. He is very interested in the dental
condition of handicapped children and is always very kind and obliging about
appointments, and indeed he attends to the children personally.
During 1968 we were fortunate to obtain an additional session with our
physiotherapist Mrs. Warwick. This is very helpful especially as we are now
allowed one weekly visit to the hydrotherapy pool at Faircross School with
Mrs. Warwick and one other of our staff accompanying the children.
Finally we would like to mention Mr. Lancer - the Ophthalmologist to
Becontree Avenue Clinic. He is very patient and gives a lot of time to our
children, and they are not easy customersl
After a good start, which was primarily due to a very effective publicity
campaign in the local press, attendances gradually fell towards the end of the
year.
The total number of smears taken was 1,486 in comparison with 1,346 in
CYTOLOGY SERVICE 1968
1967.
Reviewing the year, the significant data are as follows
Total number of smears taken 1,486
No. found to be positive 7
No. of suspect smears to follow up 3
Referral for other conditions to Gynaecologist
Fibroids 7
Polypus 65
Miscellaneous conditions 59
Trichomonas vaginalis infections
detected 37
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