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10.4.1 With increasing emphasis on developmental screening examinations for children,
more toddlers' sessions have been introduced at Hampstead Wells Centre, Queen's
Crescent Centre, and Parkhill Centre. At University College Hospital Child Health
Centre a weekly toddlers' session was introduced to replace a similar session which had
been somewhat sporadic. Three new weekly child health sessions, one replacing an
existing ante-natal clinic, were started at Queen's Crescent Centre in 1967, but in
1968 two such sessions — one at Queen's Crescent and one at Daleham Gardens Centre —
were discontinued. A point of interest is that one of the new child welfare sessions was
started on Monday evenings, with the object of providing facilities for those mothers who
work all day. This evening session caters not only for mothers of children in the area
normally served by the centre, but is also open to mothers from neighbouring centres and
areas. The weekly "Well Baby Clinic" for patients of general practitioners in a group
practice has continued throughout the period under review with the help of the Council's
health visitor at Daleham Gardens Centre.

10.5.1 Two new weekly sessions were introduced during 1968 at Kentish Town Centre,
one at Barnes House Centre, and one at Daleham Gardens Centre. The five weekly
sessions formerly held at St. Albans Centre were transferred to the Konstam Centre,
where another five weekly sessions were also introduced. The weekly session at Somers
Town Centre, which had been discontinued early in 1967, was re-introduced early in 1968.
The increased number of attendances show that the occasional creche facilities are
greatly appreciated by parents, for whom they provide a welcome relief from the constant
care of their children.
CONGENITAL DEFECTS AND OBSERVATION REGISTER
11.1.1. Notification of congenital abnormalities in new-born babies continued during
1967-1968.
11.1.2 Developmental screening is carried out for all young children attending the
Council's family health clinics, day nurseries, etc. Our own system of keeping a more
extensive observation and handicap register has provided valuable means for continuous
follow-up and has helped greatly in forward planning of medical and community services
necessary for the treatment, recreation and education of the handicapped child.
11.1.3 Despite the falling birth-rate, the number of children whose names were put on
the register during 1967 and 1968 again showed increases. These increases reflect the
success of the developmental screening techniques and the concentration of medical
attention as early as possible on the detection of abnormalities in children, beginning
before birth and lasting throughout the important period of early development. Medical
examinations for developmental screening are now carried out as a matter of routine on
all new-born babies. This process of extensive screening has proved to be a great help
in early detection of children who need observation and close follow-up because of
detectable physical or mental abnormalities, or suspected abnormalities.
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