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HANDICAPPED PRE SCHOOL CHILDREN
At the end of the year 166 children under 5 years of age
were recorded as handicapped or under observation for potential
handicap. This compared with a figure of 165 for the end of
1967.
The objectives of the service for handicapped young children
are to ensure that all available services are offered to the
parents; to co-ordinate the efforts of the wide range of persons
concerned with the family; and to carry out any further assessment
of need which may be required. Doctors, health visitors, educational
psychologists, social workers, specialist teachers etc. are
available to help handicapped children and their parents and
attendances at day nurseries, nursery classes, special units
etc. can be of considerable value to the child and the parents.
FAMILY PLANNING
Family planning sessions are held at Hornchurch, South
Hornchurch, Harold Wood and Cranham Clinics at which contraceptive
advice is available for those women who require such
advice for medical or social reasons. Oral contraceptives are
now prescribed at the clinics and no charge is made where a
medical indication exists for avoiding childbirth.
In addition, the Council provides premises in Romford for
the Family Planning Association and makes a grant to cover the
cost of the heating, lighting and cleaning of these premises.
Financial responsibility is also accepted by the Council for
treatment provided on medical grounds by the Family Planning
Association for women residents in the Borough.
CERVICAL CYTOLOGY
The number of smears taken at the 6 clinics in the Borough
where cytology sessions are held fell from 3,140 in 1967 to
1,648 in 1968. However, smears are also taken in hospital
out-patient departments, by general practitioners, and at the
Family Planning Clinics and the total taken over the year was
approximately 7,000. At a joint meeting towards the end of the
year the hospital pathology department representatives stated that it
would be possible to process a slightly greater number — about
8,000 yearly — so a limited publicity programme was initiated
by placing posters in clinics and general practitioners waiting
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