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18
In September the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Children issued a report entitled "78 Battered Children" which revealed that
further investigation into this distressing aspect of human behaviour was
necessary. The Department in association with the Children* s Officer is
deeply concerned in any case that may be notified by Fieldworkers. In 1969
18 children were notified to the Health Department as "Battered Children".
A child health clinic was opened at 5 & 6 Templemead House, E.9. in
December. This is part of the project for the community centre which is being
built-up on the Estate. It was decided, initially anyway to make this an
"all inclusive" session whereby babies and toddlers are examined and immunised
at the same time.
Health Department services are run in conjunction with those provided
by the Children's and Welfare Departments, by the Inner London Education
Authority and the Probation Service.
The Centre is open throughout the day and the evening from Monday to
Friday and the administrative assistants maintain a day book and record of
enquiries in order to assess the quality of work done.
Congenital abnormalities at birth
The notification to the Registrar General of congenital abnormalities
detectable at birth continued during 1969. The total number of babies notified
was 66 who had a total of 81 abnormalities. The numbers are lower than in
1968 but again the fall is in keeping with the fall in birth rate.