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for the compulsory removal of mentally disordered persons to hospital shall be made by a
doctor approved for this purpose by the local health authority as having special experience
in the diagnosis or treatment of mental disorders. Four applications were received during the
year for approval and following the appropriate consultation with members of the advisory
panel the applicants were approved for a period of five years.
Short-Term Care
Temporary care is arranged in homes and hospitals for mentally subnormal patients to give
relatives a welcome relief and to allow them to take a holiday.
Residentiat Hostel Accommodation
The Council accepts financial responsibility for the care of mentally disordered persons
in residential hostel accommodation provided in the borough by a voluntary organisation, and
in hostels provided by other local authorities and voluntary associations. Where patients are
in employment or have other incomes, an assessment is made to determine their contribution
towards their maintenance. Apart from those under guardianship, 38 other persons were in
hostels at the end of the year.
By reason of the large amount of accommodation existing in the borough for transients
e.g. common lodging houses, seamen's lodging houses and other lodging houses and houses in
multiple occupation, an inordinate burden is thrown upon the Council by requests from hospital
and other authorities to it to accept full responsibility for the care of mentally disordered
persons in residential homes, on the grounds that the person had a Tower Hamlets residence
prior to admission to hospital. The Ministry of Health Circular which governs the responsibility
of local health authorities for providing such accommodation, is capable of varying
interpretations. Accordingly, steps were taken during the year to have this matter brought
before the London Boroughs Association with a view to obtaining agreement as to which
authority should accept responsibility in the various categories of circumstances likely to
arise. The outcome of the deliberations of the London Boroughs Association is awaited.
Special Care Units
A special care unit for juniors operates at the Cornwall Avenue Training Centre, which
caters for those trainees who are too severely handicapped to be able to be taught and trained
with other juniors.
In addition there is a special unit in one of the Council's day nurseries for severely
handicapped children under 5 years of age.
Transport
Transport is provided by coach and minibus to take trainees from their homes and training
centres each day. Transport covers trainees attending the junior centres, adult female
centres, the special care units and the day nursery special unit, whilst those attending the
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