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41
improvement in behaviour and in willingness to submit to discipline and to habits
of industry. During the whole year the institution was full.
62. During the year, 27 patients were granted licence. Three returned to the
institution because the work found for them proved to be only of a temporary nature,
and one was brought back as unsatisfactory. The remainder did well. One or two
earned wages as much as £3 a week. As a rule it is the practice at Farmfield to
place patients who are thought to be worthy of trial outside, in the first place in local
situations as daily workers. Should the experiment prove successful, arrangements
are made, if possible, for them to live out of the institution on licence. Thus the
patients receive graded trial before they are allowed to try to take a place once
more in society.
Grants of
licence.
63. Early in 1928 a new system of monetary rewards to patients at Farmfield
was introduced as an experiment. Monetary allowances, in lieu of allowances of
tobacco and sweets, were made on the following scale:—to patients in residence for
less than three months, 4d. a week; to patients in residence for more than three
months and less than six months, 6d. a week; to patients in residence for more than
six months, 9d. a week. Each patient is credited with 24 marks a week, and loss of
any of those marks for misconduct means loss of a cash credit by means of which the
patients can obtain tobacco, cigarettes, sweets, etc. In many cases, however, the
patients have preferred to save their money. The scheme, which has proved actually
to be cheaper than making issues of tobacco and sweets, as was done formerly, has
led to a general improvement in conduct among the patients. In October, 1928, it
was decided that the arrangement should continue indefinitely.
Monetary
rewards to
patients.
64. During the year one of the visiting medical officers continued his courses
of instruction to members of the nursing staff of Farmfield for the examinations of
the Royal Medico-Psychological Association. It was decided to make an allowance
of £5 a year to a charge nurse at the institution who acts as practical demonstrator
in nursing and first aid to the candidates for the examinations.
Training of
nursea.
65. In the Annual Report for 1927 (Vol. II., p. 39) it was stated that the Council
had decided to enlarge the institution by adding wings to two of the four blocks.
For this work the Council, in July 1928, accepted the tender of Mr. J. Crewdson,
Horley, amounting to £5,327, and, at the end of the year the work was commenced.
Authority was given for expenditure of £960 for the equipment of the new wings. It
was decided also to provide, at an estimated cost of £935, a general bathroom for the
use of patients, thus setting free, for the accommodation of extra patients, six
rooms hitherto fitted with baths. The effect of the two schemes is to provide
accommodation for 48 additional patients at Farmfield, making 133 in all. At the
and of 1928 the work of providing a general bathroom had not been commenced. As
From the date of the completion of the enlargement, it was decided to increase the
fixed staff for Farmfield by one cook and baker (ordinary hand).
66. During the year ended 31st December, 1928, the sale of articles made or
repaired in the bootmaker's, carpenter's and tailor's shops realised £134.
Enlargement
of institution.
Brunswick House.
67. Brunswick House continued to provide accommodation for 50 high-grade
tractable adult defectives, chiefly those who have proved, or are likely to prove,
suitable for agricultural work, facilities for which exist in the neighbourhood. During
1928. about £460 was received by the superintendent in payment of wages earned
by patients in daily employment locally, and was credited to the Council.
68. The holding of a summer camp, at which all the patients were present,
was a feature of the year's work.
Summer
camp.
69. In the Annual Report for 1927 (Vol. II., p. 39), mention was made of the
Council's decision to enlarge Brunswick House to accommodate 25 additional patients.
Enlargement
of institution.