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nurseries when they became redundant and to secure, where necessary, the continued
availability of those buildings likely to be required to meet a long-term need. As a
result of decisions reached at this and subsequent reviews the freehold or leasehold
interest in 16 nursery buildings has since been secured while 26 nurseries have been
closed by reason of redundancy or because the heavy expenditure involved in their
acquisition and renovation could not be justified by the demand for places for children
in the highest priority groups*. Of the nurseries closed, six buildings which were in
the Council's ownership were later converted for other health service use.
Although the extent of day nursery provision in London has been appreciably
reduced during the past decade it will be noted from Table (iv) that effective steps have
been taken during this period to place the service on a more secure basis.
Marked progress has also been made in carrying out much needed improvements
to the standards of improvised nursery accommodation in the interests of the care and
well-being of the children and to promote economy and efficiency in administration.
Mental health services
The 12 occupation centres for mental defective persons living in the community
which had been administered by the Council since 1931 were closed during the war
years. Although war damage and other difficulties prevented the reopening of centres
until the middle of 1948, 21 centres have since been established throughout the
County.
While six centres are accommodated in buildings owned by the Council which
have been adapted for the purpose, the remainder are housed in hired premises which
in many cases are not entirely suitable but are the best obtainable. The poor state of
repair and decorative condition of a number of these latter premises has recently given
cause for concern and negotiations with the landlords are proceeding with a view to
their undertaking, with financial assistance from the Council where necessary, the work
essential to provide an improved standard of interior decoration and amenity.
Provision was made in the health service capital building programme, 1954-59,
for the erection of three large purpose designed occupation centres, two of which were
nearing completion by the end of 1958. Work on the third centre is expected to commence
by the middle of 1959.
These new buildings have been so planned that the main hall, which forms the
focus of the centre, can be used for assemblies, for physical training and for mid-day
meals. To facilitate easy and effective supervision, classrooms have been planned to form
self-contained units each with their own cloakrooms and toilet facilities. The accommodation
also includes a medical inspection room, staff rooms, a kitchen and servery and
a laundry. Both hard and grass play spaces are provided together with a covered court
and sand pits. A ground plan of the centre being erected at Highlever Road, Kensington,
was included in the Report for 1957 (p. 104).
A further scheme for the conversion of an existing building for use both as an
occupation centre and an industrial training centre was included in the building programme
for 1959-60. The provision of these centres will permit the closure of improvised
sub-standard accommodation.
London Ambulance Service
Despite the limitations placed on capital works, substantial progress has been made
in restoring war-damaged buildings and in providing the new ambulance stations needed
to meet the greatly increased demand for ambulance transport in London since the
inauguration of the National Health Service.
* Details of closures during 1958 are given in Table (viii).
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