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are organised during the summer out of amenity funds and transport is provided for regular
outings to London parks for trainees attending centres which have no open space within
easy reach.
Home teaching—At the time of the Council's proposals under the Act, two home teachers
were employed to give instruction and occupation to mentally handicapped persons who
were prevented by an additional physical handicap from attending training centres. About
40 persons were being visited in 1959. A third teacher was appointed in 1960 and although
the number of persons receiving teaching remains roughly the same, it has been possible
to increase the amount of attention devoted to each one. There was a small waiting list for
home teaching at the end of 1961, but the transfer of some home teaching cases to special
care units should mean that the present staff will shortly be able to satisfy the needs for
this service.
General comment—Although the full implementation of the Council's proposals must
await the bringing into use of new premises providing extra places—and the availability
of some of these is still some way off—nevertheless, the period since 1959 has been one of
steady development. In the case of every proposal except that for the special daytime care
of older subnormal persons—the need for which is now becoming more evident although,
hitherto, it has not been regarded as a first priority—solid progress has been made towards
the ultimate goal.
Rehabilitation, training and occupation of mentally ill persons
In its proposals for the development of day centres for mentally ill persons the Council
placed emphasis on rehabilitation rather than occupation and proposed to provide such
centres as may be necessary and practicable, both directly and through approved voluntary
bodies on a grant-aided basis. Similarly, it proposed to give support to the running of
social clubs by voluntary bodies and to make such direct provision as may be necessary.
With regard to psychiatric day hospitals, the intention was to participate in the provision
of such units as were considered appropriate within the limits of its statutory functions,
generally by making available the services of occupational therapists and social workers.
Clifton Lodge day centre—The Council's first day rehabilitation centre, at Clifton
Lodge, Hackney, was opened in July, 1960. The centre is intended primarily to cater for
the rehabilitation of persons who have been suffering from some form of mental illness,
with a view to their ultimate return to full community life. The provision of occupation
for persons with a permanent psychiatric disablement is secondary to this.
During the first twelve months only traditional occupational therapy was available but
by June, 1961 a start was made on industrial work obtained through the co-operation of
local firms. Originally, the majority of patients were referred from the main psychiatric
hospital serving the area but increasing numbers of referrals are now being received from
other sources.
The centre, which provides accommodation for both sexes, can accommodate up to
40 persons. There were 56 admissions during 1961 and 26 remained on the register at the
end of the year.
In the latter half of the year most patients were engaged in groups on remunerative work,
including folding Christmas cards, thonging moccasin shoes, fixing ornamental beading
to dressing tables, machining sleeve linings, assembling jewellery and stripping down meters
and light engineering parts to recover materials.
A system of ex-gratia payments at fixed rates was introduced on 1 July, 1961, which had
regard to the net income. No payment is made for the first month, 2s. a day is paid for
the second month and 3s. a day thereafter. These payments, which are kept under review,
have proved an incentive to the patients to attend regularly and to undertake, quite readily,
many different kinds of work.
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