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Deaf 11
Dysphasia - Language Difficulties 14
Hypenasality 8
Hyponasality 0
Dysphonia 3
Dysarthria 5
Mentally Retarded 48
612
Twenty two cases seen in the Clinic have not been classified
as therapy was either not indicated, or being received elsewhere.
Cases closed:—
Improved 41
Removed 12
Refused Appointments 9
Non-attendance after first interview 11
Failed Initial Appointment 5
Therapy not indicated 7
Therapy elsewhere 4
Left School 3
92
At the close of the year the numbers on the Waiting List were almost treble those of 1971. The figures are
as follows: —
Assessed and Awaiting Treatment 82
Awaiting Assessment 104
Total (including 18 children considered j
to be priority cases)
CHILD GUIDANCE
Through various sources, cases of psychological disturbance come to light and are referred, if necessary to
the appropriate Child Guidance Clinic.
These Clinics which are spaced throughout the district, are held in Hospital premises except at "The Willows!'.
Red Hill, Chislehurst, which is the Council's own premises. The remaining Child Guidance Clinic sessions are held at
Farnborough Hospital, "Stepping Stones", Bromley Hospital and at Sydenham Hospital, which serves the Borough of
Bromley although it is outside the geographical limits. One Consultant Psychiatrist is now responsible for the Child
Guidance work at local hospitals and at our own Clinic at Chislehurst.
I am grateful to Dr. Rodriguez, the Consultant Psychiatrist for the following report in respect of the Chislehurst
Child Guidance Clinic.
During 1972 the demands made on the Clinic have remained fairly constant as regards the number of new
referrals and new cases taken on for treatment, but there has been a marked increase in the number of interviews
carried out by the Psychiatrist and Social Worker. The median length of the waiting list was about 10 weeks — more
than half the cases had their diagnostic interview within 2 months of being referred. Some urgent cases were seen
within 48 hours. The waiting list is still long and continues to be a source of frustration to parents and referring
agencies. Treatment facilities are still insufficient, and it is not possible to offer adequate treatment for all the
children still referred while the post of Child Psychotherapist remains unfilled. The appointment of a fourth
Psychologist to the School Psychological Service was most welcome, as for some time, because of so many other
commitments, the School Psychological Service had reduced drastically the amount of work undertaken at this
Clinic.
104