View report page

30
supported and counselled as to how best she can help her child.

Assessment Centres
Whereas the early detection of physical, mental and emotional
defects is a normal function of the child health clinics conducted by the
local authority and also by the general practitioners in their own surgeries,
in certain cases a more comprehensive assessment is sometimes required.
In view of the more complicated tests and examinations required, these
assessments should really be carried out in association with the hospital
services. Accordingly, Dr. B. Priestley, Consultant Paediatrician at
Northwick Park Hospital, was approached in this matter and, as a result,
an assessment centre for handicapped children is now held once a week at
the hospital. The two Principal Medical Officers in the Health Department
and a social worker assist Dr. Priestley at this clinic. They are able to
bring their knowledge of the families and of the local supportive services
to the "assessment" and one Medical Officer assists in the psychological
testing of the children. In addition, local health authority records are
made available to the paediatrician. This has proved a stimulating link and
there will be even greater opportunities when the maternity department at
the hospital opens as this should help to bring children to the assessment
clinic at an earlier stage. The orthopaedic consultant, the specialist in
physical medicine and the ophthalmologist are all available on the same
afternoon as the assessment clinic if their advice is required and other
para-medical staff—physiotherapist, speech therapist, occupational
therapist and orthoptist can also be called in.
"Battered Babies" Syndrome
During the year, a meeting was held to discuss Circular CMO 2/70
from the Department of Health and Social Security. This circular requested
that discussions be arranged between the local authority staff and others
involved locally with the problems of young children injured by their
parents. Representatives of the local authority, paediatricians and
consultants from the accident and emergency department of the local
hospitals, representatives of the local medical commitee, the National
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, police and probation
service, attended this meeting.