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MENTALLY SUBNORMAL
Special Clinics
Because of the greater availability of various forms of consultation, the special
clinics held at welfare centres were discontinued so that from June onwards these special
advisory clinics for subnormal children no longer formed a part of the Department's
Mental Health Service.
Benhill Adult Training Centre
The adult training centre held in the Parish Hall, Benhill Road, S.E.5. continued to
function for the first half of the year. At the end of June the trainees and staff were
transferred to the new purpose-built adult training centre at Crispin House mentioned
previously.
Out-Patient Clinic
An interesting development was the commencement of an out-patient clinic for
subnormal adults. The clinic, staffed by two consultants from Darenth Park Hospital, is
held at Crispin House on one afternoon at fortnightly intervals. Each consultant
medically examines one subnormal adult whose parents and mental welfare officer may
be present. After the examination the consultants discuss the cases with the staff
concerned; health department medical officers, mental welfare officers and centre staff
attend and participate in these discussions.
Girls' Hostel
The Dover Lodge Hostel for subnormal girls continued to function. Occupation of
the twelve available places was not fully maintained throughout the whole of the year,
however, despite the provision of places for other boroughs at agreed rates of payments.
Junior Training Schools
Kirkwood Junior Training School in Kirkwood Road, S.E.15. and Peckham Junior
Training School held in the Congregational Church Hall, Studholme Street, S.E.15.
continued to function throughout the year. Peckham Junior Training School closed
permanently at the end of the Autumn Term, however, and arrangements were well in
hand at the end of the year for the transfer of all equipment, staff and children to the new
purpose-built Tuke Junior Training School and Special Care Unit in time for the
commencement of the Spring Term, 1970. By arrangement with the Inner London
Education Authority speech therapists continued to visit the junior training schools thus
benefitting those subnormal children suffering from speech defects.
Special Care Unit
Derwent Special Care Unit situated in the Dulwich area of the Borough continued
to provide a much needed service. However, the Unit closed on 17 December, 1969, in
readiness for its transfer to Tuke Junior Training School and Special Care Unit in time for
the commencement of the Spring Term, 1970.
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