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24 place hostel together with adequate facilities for adult training will be in the revised programming
of capital projects. The restrictions in capital investment in the health and welfare service fortunately
came after loan sanction had been granted for the purpose-built 40-place adult training centre at Mill
Hill and the 10-place hostel in Finchley which will provide long and short term care for girls and
boys between the ages of 3 and 16 years. It is anticipated that both these establishments will be
completed and fully operational by the autumn of 1968.
Some pride is felt in the achievements of the Borough's first 40-place adult training centre which
opened on 10th January, 1967. The trainees soon adapted and their progress has been rapid.
Emphasis has been directed to the practical training of the young adults. The social cohesion
produced in the groups and the marked improvement in behaviour in some who were very disturbed
has given great satisfaction to staff, the trainees themselves and their families.
Admission and Discharge to Psychiatric Hospitals for the Subnormal
The admission of the mentally subnormal child and young adult to psychiatric hospitals continues
to present a major problem. The situation has become even more serious and although the closest
contact is maintained with the catchment hospital, it is not possible for more beds to be made
available, in consequence a great deal of time is spent seeking alternative placements through
suitable private and voluntary agencies.
The waiting list of those requiring permanent hospital care does not always reflect the true
position, as throughout the year emergencies arise where immediate admission is necessary. Also,
it is the practice of this department only to apply for hospital admission for those needing such
care at the time. This reflects the fact that a comprehensive community care service provided for the
subnormal considerably reduces the need for hospital admission. However, a study to ascertain future
hospital needs will be undertaken as soon as possible. The number of patients awaiting admission
for hospital care at the end of the year was ten of whom one was of extreme urgency. During the year,
seventeen patients were admitted informally to psychiatric hospitals for the subnormal. There were
seven cases of statutory admission. Twelve patients were discharged to community care.
Short Term Care
As the Borough will have no facilities for providing short-term care until the autumn of 1968, the
arrangements for former years have continued.
It is recognised that some relief to the family is necessary from the continual care of the subnormal
member, and it is particularly essential that short-term care should be available when an
emergency arises. However, the need unfortunately exceeds the availablity of places. Private placements
are made or if these are not suitable, admission is arranged to the catchment hospital or
other psychiatric hospitals able to offer vacancies. Short-term care during the summer period is
always most difficult, and there have been some instances where placement has been impossible.
The type of case where individual nursing care is needed can seldom be accommodated other
than in a psychiatric hospital.
27 Patients were placed in hospital throughout the year and arrangements were made for 16
patients to be placed in private homes.
The London Borough of Hillingdon continued to offer facilities for weekly boarding of the
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