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

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City of Westminster 1968

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Westminster, City of]

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63
unit for children up to the age of approximately 12 years (1967—12). A specially adapted coach
conveys the children to and from the unit each day.
This unit is also run by the City of Westminster Society for Mentally Handicapped Children on
the City Council's behalf and there exists a close liaison between the Council and the Society.
University House Special Care Unit, Bethnal Green
Arrangements have been made for a severely mentally handicapped girl of 13 years of age
to attend this special unit which is maintained by the Borough of Tower Hamlets. The City Council
is grateful for this help as Westminster's own special care unit is unable to accommodate a child
of this age.
Centre for Spastic Children, Cheyne Walk
This is a voluntary centre for severely handicapped children conducted by the Chelsea and
Kensington Hospital Management Committee and four Westminster children are in attendance
there (1967—2).
Special Counselling Clinics for Retarded Children

There are three special counselling clinics in the City where children are seen by a Principal Medical Officer. Atendances at these clinics were as follows:

19681967
AttendedNew ReferralsAttendedNew Referrals
Harrow Road120278925
Bessborough Street2993211
Queens Park2573

Short-Term Care

During 1968 holidays from 2-8 weeks were arranged for 49 patients, either in hospital or suitable residential homes.

19681967
In hospital77
In residential homes4228

St. Judes Hostel, Lancefield Street, W.10
At the end of December there were 18 subnormal residents accommodated at this hostel
(1967—8). Further applications were in hand. There is now an afternoon club at the hostel for
severely sub-normal persons where handicrafts and other social activities are enjoyed by all;
there are seven in constant attendance. There is also an evening club for the residents only—
at which woodwork instruction is given.
Gateway Club (Terrace Day Centre, 1 St. Mary's Terrace, W.2)
In March this year a social club for subnormal adolescents was initiated by the City of Westminister
Society for Mentally Handicapped Children and a room at the Terrace Day Centre is used for this
purpose. The Society reports that the club is well attended and that there is an extremely happy
atmosphere there.
OTHER SERVICES FOR THE MENTALLY ILL
Terrace Day Rehabilitation Centre, 1 St. Mary's Terrace, W.2
Attendances at this centre continue to be excellent and 39 patients were on the roll at December,
five of whom were patients from other London Boroughs (1967—45).
Day Rehabilitation Centres

Five patients attended the following centres:

19681967
Castle Day22
Ladbroke Grove12