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145
During 1967 two meetings were arranged for speech therapists
working in the areas adjoining Harrow, or those working in the hospitals
in or near the area. These meetings were well attended and greatly
appreciated.
The total number of children referred to the speech therapy department
during 1967 was 228 (172 school age, 56 pre-school).
There were another 36 children referred for an opinion who did not
require treatment. Most of these children were seen during school visits.
In addition there were 191 children admitted during 1966 still having
treatment.
The total case load during 1967 was 455.
The number of cases discharged during 1967 was 156 (130 school age,
26 pre-school). The majority of these children now have normal speech.
However, 15 children left the area before treatment was finished. Most of
these were seen at Stanmore Orthopaedic Hospital. Another 20 children
were discharged Because of non-attendance and 4 children were not
suitable for treatment.
CHILD GUIDANCE AND SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
I am indebted to the Director of Education Mr. W. H. J. Knight, M.A.
for the following reports on the work of the Child Guidance and School
Psychological Services during the year.
Child Guidance Service
Dr. J. R. Hood, M.B., D.P.M. Consultant in Child Psychiatry reports
as follows:—
The child guidance centre provides a consultative service to the
school health service, head teachers, general practitioners, paediatricians
and other hospital specialists, the Courts and the social agencies. Its chief
agents are the consultant psychiatrist and the educational psychologists,
to whom all formal requests for an opinion are addressed. The other
members of the team—psychiatric social workers and child psychotherapists
provide a special form of psychological treatment, i.e. psychotherapy,
as a means of dealing with emotionally disturbed children and their
parents.
In addition to the consultative and psychotherapeutic treatment
services provided by the permanent professional staff, the following
activities should be noted:
(1) Case conferences held at least once weekly confined to staff
members, or opened to include students and/or people referring children,
such as medical officers, head teachers, general practitioners. These
reach decisions, mediate responsibility and facilitate communication.