View report page

new procedures. Despite this, there were some early technical
problems but these were quickly overcome. The Neonatal
Screening Service of the Hospital for Sick Children, Great
Ormond Street, provided the laboratory service, under the new
arrangements, for the whole of the London area.
Children "At Risk"
The number of children considered to be "At Risk" due to
various hereditary, antenatal or post-natal factors at the end of
the year was 341, compared with a figure of 439 at the end of the
previous year. Expressed as a percentage of the number of
notified live births in the year the number of children under
special observation at the end of the year was 8 8 per cent.
compared with the 1968 figure of 11 per cent. All children "At
Risk" are carefully followed up until such time as it is
ascertained that proper progress is being maintained and that no
abnormality is apparent.
Handicapped Pre-School Children
Parents of handicapped children undergo particular stress at
the time of first diagnosis and both they and the children are in
need of special help thenceforth. The range of professional
persons available to provide this help is considerable so that
there is a real problem of co-ordination.
The young handicapped child also needs comprehensive
assessment so that the most appropriate education can be
arranged. At the end of 1969, 192 handicapped pre-school children
were under regular review by doctors, health visitors, social
workers, educational psychologists, etc., so as to attain these
various aims.
Clinics
The various services provided at the main clinics and subclinics
in the borough are charted overleaf.
29