London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
London County Council 1950
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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of the occupation centres for mentally deficient persons under guardianship, supervision or on licence from institutions
| Address | No. on roll (Dec. 1950) | Average daily attendance (Dec. 1950) | Address | No. on roll (Dec. 1950) | Average daily attendance (Dec. 1950) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 56 | 49 | 28 | 22 | ||
| N. Kensington, W.10 (also takes elder girls) | 182, Hammersmith Rd., W.6 Old Gravel Pit Hall, | 26 | 21 | ||
| Cecil Rooms Woolwich Road, S.E.10 | 29 | 22 | Valette St., E.9 St. Chrysostom's Hall, | 37 | 32 |
| Christ Church Hall, Mowell St. S.W.9 | 26 | 19 | Goldsmith Rd., S.E.15 | ||
| Claremont Central Mission, White Lion St., N.l. | 44 | 32 | 40 | 30 | |
| Lewisham Methodist Hall, Albion St., S.E.13 | 24 | 19 | Blenheim Grove, S.E.15 19, Compton Terrace, N.l | 25 | 17 |
| London Mission Methodist Hall, Shepherds Bush Rd., W.6 | 25 | 19 | Dalston Congregational Hall, Bay St., E.8 | 31 | 26 |
| Orchard Mission, Mission Place, S.E.15 | 25 | 19 | St. Michael's Hall, Darley Rd., S.VV.ll | 32 | 25 |
| (replacing Metropolitan Tabernacle) | Total | 553 | 439 | ||
| Oxford House, Mape St., E.2 | 25 | 21 | |||
| St. Margaret's House, 19, Old Ford Rd., E.2 | 18 | 16 | |||
| St. Peter's Hall, Clapham Manor St., S.W.4 | 34 | 29 | |||
| Unity Hall, 56, East India Dock Rd., E.14 | 28 | 21 |
The Council decided to erect a building in the playground of Branstone Street
Occupation Centre, which accommodates children and a small number of elder girls,
to provide accommodation for about 10 to 15 elder boys living in N.W. London for
whom there are no suitable facilities at present.
Outings and
holidays
As the centres are with one exception (Branstone Street), conducted in hired
premises (mainly church halls) with little or no outdoor recreation space, those
attending were taken by school bus to nearby parks or open spaces approximately
once a fortnight during the summer months when the weather proved suitable.
During the year four parties (one of children only, two of children and elder girls
and one of elder boys—93 in all) spent a week's holiday at seaside holiday homes
belonging to the National Association for Mental Health. The expenses of 15 necessitous
children were paid wholly or partly by the Council. 145 children and young
persons were also taken for a day's outing. Rules were drawn up for the guidance of
staff conducting day outings for parties from the centres with a view to safeguarding
the patients against the risk of accident.
Christmas
parties
Refresher
courses for
staff
Christmas parties and entertainments were arranged for all centres during
December.
The fees and expenses of six of the supervisory staff who attended a residential
refresher course in occupation centre work conducted by the National Association
for Mental Health were borne by the Council, as were the fees of 12 staff who attended
a similar non-residential course conducted by the same body.
During the first three days of the summer holiday a refresher course for the
Council's occupation centre supervisory staff was conducted by the Organiser of
Occupation Centres, at the Branstone Street Centre. Lectures were given by medical