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84
TODDLERS' CLINICS.- Dr. E. Kilsby reports as follows regarding
the Toddlers clinics she attends:—
"At toddlers clinics held at Kenwood Gardens, Heathcote and
Manford Way Clinics children between the ages of 1 and 5 years are
seen for a once-yearly medical check-up by appointment. Between
75 and 80% of appointments sent are taken up and provide an opportunity
not only for the detection of minor defects, but for advice on
behaviour problems, feeding difficulties- and the facilities offered
by the welfare clinic (e.g. dental inspection). Specific appointments
at a special clinic of this nature are particularly valuable where the
health visitor feels that a family would benefit by further contact
with the clinic services and where general invitations to attend the
infant welfare centre have not been taken up.
Where necessary children are referred to their own general
practitioner or to specialist clinics. Few previously undetected
physical defects are noted, but mothers are often found to be worrying
unnecessarily about the child's diet, size and behaviour (e.g. temper
tantrums) and are grateful for reassurance."
Another Toddlers' Clinic session is held at Heathcote Clinic and
Dr. W. H. Toms who attends there reports:—
"This Clinic performs a useful service to the community in
two main ways.
Firstly, it supports and encourages the young mother in her
relationship with her child and helps to explain to her changes in
that relationship as the child develops. Simple advice, when taken,
is often able to diminish tensions in the home and may stop the
formation of unfortunate patterns of behaviour in the upbringing of
the child.
Secondly, physical defects, particularly orthopaedic, are
detected and the toddlers referred to the appropriate consultant. In
the majority of cases no abnormalities are found and the parent can
be reassured. The immunisation position of the children is reviewed
when they are seen and the mothers encouraged to make sure the
schedules are completed.
As a personal observation I value the lack of pressure at this
Clinic. There is ample time to examine the child and assess the
family situation and as a result one hopes the interview can be
therapeutic."