View report page

65
Toddlers clinics
These clinics continued to be held at all maternity and child welfare centres.
During the year, owing to low average attendances, the Church Road clinic was
changed from a weekly to a fortnightly one.
It is usual for children between the ages of two and five years to attend
these clinics. Many of them emanate from infant welfare clinics. For others it
is more suitable and convenient to attend by appointment at intervals of approximately
six months than to attend a busy infant welfare session. Every child
attends by appointment and is seen by the doctor. Parents are most co-operative
about these attendances and appear to be fully conscious of their value. It is
now common for the child's parent to telephone the health visitor for another
appointment if for any reason the child is unable to attend. Such action cuts
down the number of follow-up visits which might be made by the health visitor
and is evidence of the easy bond that exists between them. The aim of these
periodic medical examinations is to maintain the health and well-being of the
child until he reaches school age and is subject to medical examination provided
by the school health service. Small defects are sometimes found and arrangements
made for correction before further deterioration occurs. This visit also gives
parents an opportunity of a quiet discussion with the clinic doctor on any matter
of concern to them and the child. Numbers are limited in order to preserve the
quiet unhurried character of these occasions. Most children enjoy these visits
and are sometimes reluctant to leave. Suitable toys are always available and
give obvious pleasure to these youngsters.