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ation. The waiting list at the end of the year being 95 as compared
to 52 at the end of 1965. The average waiting time is
about six months but priority is given to court referrals, psychiatric
emergencies and acute school refusals which must be dealt
with immediately if there is to be any hope of success.
The treatment caseload carried over from 1965 was 302 and
a total of 2,548 attendances were made by new and old patients
during the year. All children referred for psychiatric treatment
have preliminary interviews with an educational psychologist,
while the parent is seen by a psychiatric social worker who
records the childs history for the information of the psychiatrist.
342 interviews of this type were carried out during the year and
the psychiatric social workers also interviewed 1,599 parents
either at the Centre or in their own homes. The psychological
team was also responsible for administering lengthy diagnostic
procedures in 36 cases and provided weekly treatment in 14
cases.
The School Psychological Service is the responsibility of
the Educational Psychologists who interviewed 287 children in
school and saw their parents as necessary. They also kept
schools informed of any relevant developments in the progress
of children under treatment at the Centre.
95 children were given educational therapy by remedial
teachers on the recommendation of the consultant psychiatrists.
The Peripatetic Teacher of the Deaf also operates from Rapheal
House and the staff of the Child Guidance Centre have found this
most valuable when dealing with children who have problems
of both hearing and learning.
In addition to his responsibilities for the diagnosis and
treatment of children referred to the Centre, the Medical Director
has also made regular visits to the Diagnostic Unit at Corbets
Tey School and the special classes for disturbed children at
Mead Infants School, Crowlands Infants School and Manor
Primary School.
Health Education in Schools
A full time Health Education Officer was appointed by the
Health and Welfare Committee in February, 1966 followed by the
appointment of an assistant in August. The early months of the
year were devoted to assessing the health educational needs
of the Borough and obtaining the necessary supplies and equipment,
following which it was possible for a number of programmes
which has been planned to be put into operation.
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