[Report 1964] / Medical Officer of Health, Benfleet U.D.C., Canvey Island U.D.C., Rayleigh U.D.C., Rochford R.D.C. (South East Essex).

  • Benfleet (England). Urban District Council.
Date:
1964
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1964] / Medical Officer of Health, Benfleet U.D.C., Canvey Island U.D.C., Rayleigh U.D.C., Rochford R.D.C. (South East Essex). Source: Wellcome Collection.

    45/76 (page 43)
    Chilli Pevelopiiu’iil ('li)tics This innovation, rcft'ned to in last year’s report, commenced vvitli the establishment of sessions at the (Ireat Wakcrinj; Mealth Services Clinic in Jannarv 19(S4 and has proved \’ery successful. Initially, the sessions were attended by a trained nursery nurse and, as the clinic developed, an assistant was appointed. At the end of the year there were 17 children on the books. Dr. Ingold, the medical officer in attend- ance at the (ireat W’akering clinic, reports as follows:— Since the inauguration of the sessions in January 1964, 38 children have been admitted to the clinic for varicms reasons, e.g. enuresis, asthma, inability to mix or speak with other children, general backwardness and jealous}' of other children, etc. and, in some cases, on account of domestic difficulties in the home. During the year 21 children were discharged for the following rea.sons;— eight were much improved and left upon reaching school age three removed to other areas nine where there was an improvement in the child and in the domestic life of the parents one removed by mother on account of child’s asthmatic condition. At the sessions free play and self-expression are encouraged. Children with a destructive nature are allowed to vent their feelings on expendable objects which cost nothing and are easily replaced, but generally speaking this does not last very hmg and usually the child becomes an acknowledged member of the group. Initially, sand and water pla}' and painting is the curriculum which most of the children follow and later as children become more confident, group play, i.e. wendy house and dolls, singing and play with constructive toys is introduced. It is found that most children respond very well to love and reassurance.” The Child Psychiatrist, Dr. Runes, who maintains overall super- vision of the clinic, considers the service one of the utmost value in the field of preventive mental health. Consequently, it is proposed to extend it by the establishment of sessions at Hockley, South Benfleet and Canvey Island. Co-operation with ]'olitntay\< Organisations In connection with the County Council’s proposals for health services, it was felt that as far as voluntary organisations were concerned there was room for greater co-operation at local level. With this object in view, conferences with local voluntary bodies were held on the 22nd April and 21st October 1964. These meetings produced a useful inter- change of ideas and discussions on common problems and a number of points were raised, upon which appropriate action was taken. Such conferences ensure that on the one hand local authorities are aware of the help which x'oluntary bodies can give and on the other, that the authorities make known to the organisations the specific tasks for which their services can be utilized, and keep them in touch with future developments, indicating the scope and nature of the provision to be made.