The Down Syndrome Association has set up of an Adult Down Syndrome Clinic to monitor the health of adult persons (16+ years) who have Down syndrome. The Ministry for Health and the Down Syndrome Association have agreed and concluded an agreement for the setting up of this clinic, which started operating in August 2012.
After interviewing a number of doctors who showed interest to run this clinic, the clinic’s administrative team, chaired by the president of the Down Syndrome Association, chose Dr Dorothy Zammit to be responsible for the clients of this clinic. The Association wanted the service of this clinic to be of an international level and therefore Dr Zammit visited a similar clinic in Spain to observe the running of this clinic.
The Adult Down Syndrome Clinic is located at the Birkirkara Health Centre. A maximum of eight clients are seen on a weekly basis, on a Saturday. A full health check-up is made and records are kept for monitoring purposes. During this visit, which will be carried out at least once a year, the doctor and the nurse allocated with this clinic will make an assessment of the physical and social needs of the person. The client might be referred for further tests, follow-ups or to other professionals in the Primary Health Sector or in any other field. Clients are also given a copy of the records on the day of the visit and are encouraged to show them to their family doctor. It is to be stressed that this clinic is not a substitute to the family doctor but complements the role of the family doctor.
The aim of the clinic is to foster and nurture a holistic attitude towards health issues among members of this community as well as early detection and intervention of any health conditions. Therefore, it is very important and beneficial for all adults who have Down syndrome to register with the clinic.
Family doctors, families and carers of adult persons suffering from Down Syndrome are urged to refer these persons.
For more information phone on 2149 4960, 2123 5158; email [email protected]