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were so placed during 1968, either in homes or hostels run by voluntary
organisations. At the end of the year the total number of patients under
informal foster care was 34. Of these, 5 were placed in private homes
within the Borough, the remainder in various homes run by voluntary
societies throughout the country.
The Borough is fortunate in having 5 private homes within its boundaries
which accept patients for long term care and the total number of
patients placed in these homes at the end of the year was 10, 5 of whom
were placed by other local health authorities.
All homes used by the Authority were visited during the year by the
Principal Medical Officer, Mental Health, and found to be satisfactory.
Admissions to Hospitals—During the year, 17 patients were
admitted to hospitals for permanent care, of these only 4 were formal
admissions.
At the end of the year there was 1 patient awaiting admission to
hospital.
Temporary Care—One way in which parents can be given some
relief (especially in those cases awaiting a permanent hospital bed) is by
arranging for patients to receive short term care for periods of up to eight
weeks. A total of 49 requests were received in 1968 for such care, of these
25 were placed in hospital and the remainder in private homes or hostels.
Harrow Junior Training School—This modern purpose built
establishment caters for those mentally handicapped children within the
Borough between the ages of 2-16 years. At the end of the year there were
107 children on the register, including 17 children from neighbouring
boroughs. Coach transport is provided to take the children to and from
the school during term time, which corresponds with that of other schools
within the Borough.
The children receive tutition in elementary 3-R work, basic social
training, simple cooking, sewing and domestic work. Speech therapy and
physiotherapy is available and the children are medically examined at
regular intervals. The school dentist also visits the school at regular
intervals and, if necessary, treatment can be arranged at Leavesden
Hospital, Abbotts Langley, Nr. Watford, Herts.
In addition to the main building there is a special care unit attached to
the school which caters for those children with both physical and mental
handicaps.
Open days and evenings are held at which parents can discuss their
child's progress with the staff and any other problems they may have with
the Principal Medical Officer and social worker concerned. Parents are
also supplied with reports each year.