Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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25
"We are pleased that the pressure of work on the existing
clerical staff will be relieved when Mrs. Terry, the newly appointed
third clerical assistant, takes up her duties.
"The waiting list is ever with us. The population served by
this clinic has grown from 48,440 in 1948 to 68,980 in September,
1956. Additional psychiatric social worker and psychotherapist
personnel are urgently needed if we are to cope with the demands
made on us.
"With an increase in the staff there have been some difficulties
over accommodation and the use of one or two additional rooms
would be welcome.
"References from general practitioners suggest that they might
be made more aware of the fact that the Child Guidance Clinic is
open to children of all ages, including the under fives, as well as
school children. For the latter, while it is recognised that they are
free to refer children to whatever clinic they think fit, it would be
as well for them to know that the more centrally situated London
hospital child psychiatric clinics are saturated for purposes of
treatment, and that children in this area so referred are usually
re-referred to this clinic. Both Dr. Casimir and I feel that this dual
referral militates against successful treatment." (The position was
referred to in one of the periodical circular letters to medical
practitioners A.P.).
The following tables show the work of the clinic during the
year. Figures for Walthamstow cases only are shown:—
Number of cases referred to the clinic | 111 |
Number of cases diagnosed at the clinic | 67 |
(a) Psychiatrists | |
Diagnostic interviews | 67 |
Cases taken on for treatment | 26 |
Treatment interviews | 320 |
Other interviews | 3 |
No. of psychiatric sessions per week | |
(b) Psychologists | |
Clinic cases tested | 73 |
Cases given remedial education | |
Treatment interviews (remedial education) | 157 |
School visits on behalf of clinic cases | |
Other interviews at clinic |