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15
financial stringencies and threatened shortage of coke and
authorised smokeless fuels arising from closure of coke plants and
the use of natural gas. On the other hand, the extension of areas
is finding a decline in the use of smokeless solid fuel central heating
and appliances. In one area 70% of new appliances used either
gas or electricity.
The contribution of smokeless zones to our health by the
increase of winter sunshine in city and town and our greater
resistance to influenza and bronchitis is becoming obvious to all.
The other points in this section of the report that are especially
worthy of note include an account of measures taken to deal with
the "dirty milk bottle" which is given in greater detail than in
former reports; the need for a standard of cleanliness for "foam
crumb" used as a filling for soft toys; the increase of inspections
under the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, 1963 from
355 in 1965 to 1,652 in 1968; the reduction of cesspools from 2,226
in 1965 to 2,101 in 1968, and the inspection of Animal Boarding
premises for 294 dogs and 187 cats.
Mental and Social Welfare
The development of the facilities at Farnborough Hospital is
of importance to the local authority in that all acute psychiatric
cases can now be admitted to a hospital within easy reach of any
home in the Borough.
The attachment of Mental Welfare Officers has continued.
One-third of the field staff, while retaining community advisory
and emergency duty responsibilities, are attached to psychiatric
hospitals or units, while one-sixth are attached to general medical
practices.
In March, the Authority opened Rydal Mount as a fifteen
place hostel for short term rehabilitation of the mentally ill and a
full account is given later in the report.
There is full liaison with the Hospital Service, with the local
office of the Department of Employment and Productivity, and
with the Day Centre at Stembridge Hall. At the Day Centre, a
bonus incentive scheme of payments was introduced and the continued
success of this Centre is shown by the fact that 21 out of
43 patients entered employment or remploy. Only 5 patients were
re-admitted to hospital, and 21 patients live in sufficiently close
proximity to the Centre that transport to the Centre presents no
problem.
For mentally handicapped children not attending the Orpington
Training Centre, three Playgroups organised by Churches and
voluntary organisations provide nine sessions a week. Each accepts
multiple handicapped children and these children will be more
directly assisted when the Special Care Unit at the Authority's new