CHILD HEALTH CLINIC

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27427, 13 August 1954, Page 13

CHILD HEALTH CLINIC

SUCCESSFUL START TO WORK CIRCULAR SENT TO DOCTORS Although the staff of the child health clinic in Christchurch was not fully established yet, a considerable amount of work had already been done with, it was thought, reasonable success, says a circular sent to Christchurch doctors by the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. D. P. Kennedy). With the clinic becoming more experienced, it was hoped that work of a high standard would be accomplished, says the circular. It helped the severely disturbed child and the child of lower intelligence, which was a recognised function of the orthodox child guidance clinic. “I would express the hope that practitioners will find that the clinic’s ability to supply a trained woman medical-social worker will assist them with family problems which, if for no other reason than on account of time, would be a severe burden in the practice of a family doctor,” Dr. Kennedy says.

Essential family problems were handled by the pediatrician and social worker, Dr. Kennedy said. Where there was an added school problem, the psychologist advised on- the intelligence of the child, investigating if necessary the educational status and school relationships. There were cases where the .word “medical,” used in a restricted sense, could be disposed .of, and these were referred to the psychiatrist and psychologist for opinion and treatment if necessary. Play therapy might be used. There were also children who were considered to be chiefly in need of the .help of the psychiatrist. A selection of cases given in the circular included antisocial behaviour, a very withdrawn child making no friends, faecal incontinence, stealing, fire-lighting, multiple tics, sex delinquency, truancy from home and school, and in the younger age group nail biting, not talking, temper tantrums, masturbation, and night-terrors.