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Adult Training Centres
(20) Active consideration is now being given to the provision of
an adult training centre of approximately 70 places to be available
for those of 16 years of age and over, which should be adequate
to meet immediate demands. Further provision will be made
as necessary to ensure that training facilities will be available
to all persons over 16 who can benefit by them. The Corporation
are considering whether a special building with suitable
workshops should be erected to serve both mentally and
physically handicapped persons, for whom such facilities must be
provided by the local authority. Under such arrangements, there
would be joint usage of staff, for example, for the approach to
industry, the marketing of products, the use of trained handicraft
instructors and catering staff supplying meals. Transport
will be provided and meals and medical inspection arranged as
necessary.
It is proposed, however, that the Supervisor of the Mental
Health Section will have experience and training in the care of
mentally disordered patients.
Residential Accommodation
(21) The Corporation are now making arrangements with the Mental
After-care Association for the reservation of ten beds in a
hostel, which is being established in Croydon, for ex-mental
hospital patients, who are fit to go to work. The Corporation
will increase the number of places or consider the establishment
of their own hostel of this type in the light of experience of
these initial arrangements.
This type of accommodation is thought to be relatively
short-term, the patient returning eventually to an ordinary life
in the community.
(22) The Corporation will provide accommodation for approximately
sixty mentally ill patients no longer in need of, or who
from the outset do not require hospital care, either in Corporation
owned premises administered by the Health Committee or
by arrangements with other local authorities or voluntary
organisations.
(23) Accommodation will also be provided in a similar manner for
approximately twelve mentally sub-normal or severely sub-normal
Patients with the same needs. Arrangements will be made, where
suitable for residents to attend a training centre or work in
ordinary or sheltered employment.