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135
ted by Dr. Shackleton as Locum with Dr. Altschulova
In charge. Earlier in the year we lost one of our
Therapists, Miss Oppenheimer, and were lucky to
replace her fairly soon after with Mrs. Handja.
Changes of staff are a recurrent problem in a Clinic
of this kind.
The diagnostic waiting list is a little longer
than it was last year, and there is still a bottle-neck
with regard to the provision of more intensive treatment.
It is often desirable, but rarely possible to
offer treatment more than once-weekly. It had been
hoped to start a group, but this has not been possible,
partly because of the difficulty in collecting suitable
cases and partly because of my absence. There is
also a bias in favour of individual treatment in the
training background of the Clinic staff. Dr. Altschulova
and other members of the Clinic staff have
been doing evening sessions for some months, and
it has proved to be very useful. Some patients,
especially adolescents, very much appreciate being
able to come for treatment after school hours, so
that they do not miss school, and some found it helpful
not to have to tell everybody that they are having
treatment. From the point of view of the Psychiatric
Social Worker, evening sessions have made it possible
for some fathers to take a more active part in the
treatment of their children by coming for regular
interviews after working hours. We have been most
fortunate in a very successful start with the day class
for emotionally disturbed children from 5-8 years.
The selection of these children was made by the clinic
staff as a whole and their progre s s followed with great
interest.
The absence of facilities in the area for admission
of disturbed children and adolescents continues;
however, pressure has been brought to bear
on the Regional Board and the problem is underactive
consideration. There is also a lack of residential
school places for older boys and girls.
There have been some structural alterations
to provide two additional consulting rooms and another
office in the Clinic. "