London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Hammersmith 1965

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hammersmith Borough]

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Examination of Blind and Partially-Sighted Persons.
Blind.
Arrangements are made for the domiciliary examination and re-examination of persons
with a view to their inclusion on the Register of Blind and Partially-Sighted Persons kept by the
Council's Welfare Services. Inclusion of a person on the Register entitles him to extra benefits
from the National Assistance Board, and to the full range of special facilities provided by the
Welfare Services. During 1965 the examinations were carried out at various sessions arranged
for the purpose.

In addition, certificates are accepted from other local authorities, hospitals, and private ophthalmologists, and fees paid where appropriate.

The following are details of work carried out during the year:

No. of domiciliary examinations during the year27
No. of domiciliary re-examinations during the year21
No. of certificates accepted from other local authorities, hospitals, and private ophthalmologists2

Report on the Mental Health Services for the year ended 31st December, 1965.
Referrals and Community Care.
During the year ended 31st December, 1965, there was a substantial increase in the work
of the Mental Health Service, the number of cases referred having risen from 36 to 74 a month.
However, the number requiring admission to psychiatric hospitals increased by only about onethird,
whilst in comparison those needing community care increased fourfold.
Training Centres for the Mentally Subnormal.
Fulham Training Centre has places for 60 boys and girls aged between 5 and 16 years,
and the average daily attendance was 44.
The syllabus included social training and simple instruction. The Montessori method of
teaching was introduced into the Centre two years ago with such success that, in 1965, three
16-year old trainees were able to go straight from the Centre into ordinary employment, a notable
achievement which encouraged two other members of staff to take the Montessori Method of
Education Diploma.
Two outings were arranged for the children, one to the London Zoo by public transport,
and another to places of interest in London by coach. An Open Day was held shortly before
Christmas to which parents and friends were invited, and a Nativity Play was presented by the
children. Two Christmas parties were held, one generously given by a local publican; and gifts
of money and sweets were received from the Hammersmith Branch of the National Society for
Mentally Handicapped Children, and from a local public house.
Visits were made to the Centre by groups of students from Chiswick Polytechnic, the
Froebel Institute, St. George's Hospital School of Nursing, and by post-graduate medical students
from the School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
College Park Training Centre has places for 35 older girls and women between 16 and 45
years of age, and the average daily attendance was 28.
The syllabus included social training and domestic subjects, e.g. simple cookery, embroidery,
and other household duties, to enable the girls to become useful and accepted members
of their families. During the year a qualified art teacher joined the staff and has greatly widened
(38)