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KINGSLEY HALL DAY CENTRE
The Day Centre for young handicapped children was used to capacity during the
year, and attracted a good deal of attention from various professional and other people.
In particular we welcomed the interest in the Centre shown by Dr. Mary Sheridan of
the Ministry of Health.
The original intention was that the children admitted should be either physically or
mentally handicapped, but the scope of cases has now been enlarged to include some
who are suffering from emotional and social disabilities. It was noticeable that in
process of time the average age of admission tended to fall somewhat. This trend is
beneficial in that the earlier assessment, training and treatment can be instituted, the
more effective are they likely to be. But the increased number of younger children laid
a greater burden of work upon the staff, to whom we are grateful for their enthusiasm and
hard work. In the coming year, when the electrical wiring of the building has been
renewed, it is hoped that a washing machine may be obtained which will be a great help
in dealing with the washing of nappies and clothing which at present has to be done by
hand.
The physiotherapist attended for one session a week, during which time she trained
the staff nurse in the physiotherapy each child requires. The staff nurse is then able to
carry out each child's treatment daily.
In December Mr. Swallow, Senior Lecturer in Dentistry at the London Hospital,
visited the Centre and examined each child. Arrangements were then made for those
children who required treatment to be taken by ambulance to the hospital, where they
received treatment immediately upon arrival. In this way dental treatment was made
available for many of the children for whom treatment would have been impracticable
under ordinary arrangements. We would like to express our thanks to Mr. Swallow for
his great help in this matter.
During the year the Health Area Sub-Committee acquired a minibus which is used
to convey the children to and from the Centre. This enabled the journeys to be divided
and shortened, as compared with those previously undertaken by a hired vehicle.
Mothers are encouraged to call at the Centre to see their children and to discuss their
progress with the Sister in charge. In some cases it is desirable that the staff should
be able to give a mother more intensive training in handling her child: in these cases
the mother attends for a more prolonged period on a certain day each week. A medical
officer visits the Centre frequently to examine the children and to keep in close touch
with the progress.
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