London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Richmond upon Thames 1966

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Richmond]

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CHILD GUIDANCE SERVICE.
The Medical Directors of the Child Guidance Clinics, Dr. Robin Higgins, M.A.,
M.B., B.Chir., D.P.M., and Dr. Agnes Main, M.B., B.S., report as follows:—
Dr. Robin Higgins—
In the course of the year 100 new cases were referred to the Richmond Child
Guidance Clinic of which 41 were seen by the psychiatrist. In addition, during the
year 27 cases were given a period of regular intensive and/or group treatment and 21
maintained on a less frequent supervisionary basis. In all, 141 cases were seen. Of
the new cases the patterns of incidence were as follows:—

Age Distribution

No.
2—3 yrs.3
4—7 yrs.36
8—10 yrs.30
11—13 yrs.19
14—154 yrs.12
TOTAL100

The Referring Agents

Parents alone or in conjunction with another person, e.g. Head Teacher or Family Doctor16
Head Teacher13
Family Doctor15
School Medical Officer39
Probation Officer4
Children's Officer4
Hospital6
Miscellaneous3
TOTAL100

The nature of the problems dealt with covered children's overt responses to
external pressures (including anti-social or delinquent activities, poor work record,
regression or withdrawal) and conflicts that were predominantly confined to the child
(of a psychotic or near psychotic and psychoneurotic type).
In addition there was a small group where we were primarily concerned with
counselling the family about an individual child's symptoms that were not necessarily
abnormal and about environmental changes including the prospects and tensions of
leaving school.
Dr. Agnes Main—
During the year the work of the Twickenham Child Guidance Clinic has continued
without any major change. The numbers of referrals remain at a relatively steady
level, and our main aim continues to lie in providing help for the sick child and disturbed
family relationships. Close contact is maintained with Oldfield House School
for Maladjusted Children, and an interchange of visits between the Staff and Clinic
members is regularly maintained. The number of children at the Unit for Autistic
Children at Athelstan House has increased, and when a second teacher is appointed
we shall be able to admit more.
91