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is part of a large programme of Adult Training Centres, Work
Centres and Hostels for mentally subnormal adults and children.
While the needs have been evaluated and established, the priorities
must be reviewed from time to time in terms of relative urgency,
availability of alternative provision of service, provision for the
greater number in need, and the economics of site and financial
resources.
National Assistance Acts 1948/62
The Chief Welfare Officer has presented a comprehensive
report on the development of the Welfare Services in the Borough.
In a similar way to the complementary Mental Health Services,
co-operation with the Hospital Services and General Medical
Services has been developed. There has been an increased
percentage of admissions to residential homes from hospital and
an expansion of the service provided in personal aids to nursing at
home and of adaptations to homes. At the same time, attention has
been drawn to the need to evaluate whether the capital programme
provides adequate future residential homes. The point is made that
this Authority has a higher than national percentage of admissions
of persons over 85 years of age with the obvious lesson that these
residents need more care and attention.
The competing claims of hospital care, residential home care
and community care services needs evaluation and constant review.
A meeting under the auspices of the Regional Hospital Board has
been held to discuss these questions but now, after several years,
it seems appropriate that another meeting should be called to
discuss these very difficult questions.
In spite of the immediate difficulties of providing residential
accommodation, the termination of joint-user arrangements with
Orpington Hospital has been accomplished and residents suitably
accommodated in more appropriate homely surroundings.
The development of day care in residential homes to provide
for those elderly in the community, companionship and relief from
home surroundings during the day has continued with benefit to
the residents and staff of residential homes and joy to those elderly
persons for whom transport can be provided. This valuable service
must inevitably be limited by the special transport needed and the
other calls to clubs, outings, and entertainment, for these vehicles.
The Section has been particularly concerned with the development
of services for the handicapped, especially the Blind and Deaf,
and the officers have given a great deal of time outside normal
hours to attendance at Centres and Clubs, and at meetings of
voluntary organisations greatly concerned in these developments.
In this connection, greater help is being given to the younger