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was continued during the year. Talks by a Health Visitor were also
part of the weekly curriculum in Willows Girls' School, Morden, and
Ricards Lodge Girls' School, Wimbledon.
As in 1966, courses have been run for Red Cross diplomas and
the Duke of Edinburgh award, after school hours, in Mitcham and
Morden Clinics. These have been given on request and have proved
popular with the girls attending them. The results were encouraging.
Dr. Cicily Clarke, Assistant Medical Officer, has contributed the
following comments on the work she carries out at Pelham Road Clinic
every third Monday morning each month.
' Judging by the number of referrals it would seem that
this Clinic continues to serve a useful purpose, probably the
most important factor is that sufficient time can be given to each
child and its parents to enable one to form a reasonable assessment
of the problem at issue and to decide on the most approriate
action.
Difficulties affecting children of different ages, presented
in a wide variety of ways, have been dealt with. Some have been
resolved; others have been sent on to the Child Guidance Service
for full assessment and specialist help.'
CHILD GUIDANCE SERVICE
1. Staffing
Mitcham Child Guidance Clinic suffered a severe loss when Dr.
A. R. Wilson, the Psychiatrist, left in December to take up a senior
post in Inner London. Fortunately a successor was soon found in
Dr. P. E. Lomas, who is available for four sessions per week—although
the establishment provides for six sessions.
The establishment of psychotherapists was increased from one
to two, to enable each of the two clinics to have a full-time psychotherapist.
As had been feared, however, it has proved extremely
difficult to attract suitable applicants for the newly-created post: at
the time of printing there are two possible candidates in the offing,
but at present the existing psychotherapist, Mrs. M. Livesey, is attempting
to share her services between the two clinics.
Mrs. I. Windebank joined the Service as the third psychiatric
social worker, her time being shared between the two clinics. It was
gratifying to see this long-standing vacancy at last filled.
In all other respects, too, the staffing position was satisfactory.
2. Accommodation
The new Wimbledon Child Guidance Clinic at 97 Worple Road
came into operation after Easter and is a great improvement on the
previous premises at All Saints Road.
Mitcham Clinic, however, is somewhat limited in its accommodation
and with a view to improving the position, the Borough Architect
designed a small extension which would provide four additional
small rooms when funds permit.
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