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THE WORK OF THE WEST HAM CHILD GUIDANCE CLINIC
Medical Director: T.P.Riordan, M.D., B.Ch., D.P.M.
This clinic is held at the Credon Road School, Plaistow, E.13. and is open daily
(Monday to Friday) from 9 a.m. to 5-15 p.m.
STAFF:
Consultant Psychiatrists:
T.P.Riordan, M.D., D.P.M. (Medical Director) 2 sessions weekly
George Somerville, M.D., D.P.M. (up to tyth Feb. 1957) 1 session n
J.E.Glancy, M.D., M.R.C.P., D.P.M. (up to 3rd April 1957) 1 " n
Elizabeth Whatley, M.B., B.s. (from 15th April, 1957) 1 n n
Psychiatrist:
J,N.Runes, M.D. (from 14th October 1957) ^ sessions weekly
Educational Psychologist:
Mrs.E.Nathan, Dip.Psychologist, A.B.Ps.S. 6 sessions weekly
Psychiatric Social Worker:
Vacant
Secretary:
Mrs.Peters (full time)
The most significant influences affecting the work of the Child Guidance
Clinic during the year ending 31st December 1957. were the disruption and loss of
psychiatrist time involved in the changes in the psychiatric staff and the opportunity
created by the developing Preventive Mental Health Scheme of the West Ham Borough for
establishing the role of the Child Guidance Clinic in the Mental Health Service.
In February, the clinic lost the services of its senior Consultant Psychiatrist.
Dr.George Somerville, who founded the clinic in 1943, and was its Medical Director for
many years, was forced to withdraw because of pressure of other commitments associated
with Goodmayes Hospital. For the same reason Dr.Glancy was obliged to give up his
session in April, and at a later date the Medical Director reduced his sessions from
four to two per week. Meanwhile, Dr. Elizabeth Whatley was appointed on a temporary
basis to one consultant session at the Child Guidance Clinic and another at the Public
Health Department. Her appointment was a crucial link in the setting up of a Community
Mental Health Service in the Borough. Through her sessions, wholly devoted to and the
financial responsibility of the Public Health Department, she was able to foster a
better understanding of psychiatric problems and problems of interpersonal relationships
among co-workers in the community services. Co-operation and communication between the
various departments influencing the healthy mental development of the people of West
Him, became easier and more fruitful.
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