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63
MENTAL SUBNORMALITY
At the end of 1968 there were 440 subnormal persons known to
the mental health section. Of this total 207 were receiving hospital
care and 233 were living in the community. Of those in the community
90 attended the training centre. Over the year 24 subnormal children
and adults were referred for assessment and placement. Botleys Park
Hospital is responsible for dealing with all adult mentally subnormal
patients needing hospital care. So far as children are concerned they
are referred either to Queen Mary's Hospital for Children, Carshalton,
or to Botleys Park Hospital. The hospital at Carshalton also makes
provision for children with psychiatric problems or multiple handicaps.
Both hospitals admit patients for short term care in order to give
families some relief from the constant burden of caring for the severely
handicapped, and perhaps, physically disabled child.
Kingston Training Centre
This is a purpose-built centre which consists of a special
care unit for severely retarded physically handicapped children, a
junior training centre for children up to the age of 16 years, and an
adult centre and workshop for those over 16. The extension to the special
care unit has provided an increased number of places for this type of
child. Extensions to the workshops were also completed in January,
thus alleviating the overcrowding which existed, and allowing more space
for industrial activities to be carried out. At the end of the year
105 children and adult trainees were attending this training centre.
17 trainees attend the Kingston Training Centre from the London Borough
of Richmond, and during the year 1 trainee was admitted from the London
Borough of Merton.
Special Care Unit
During the year 12 severely subnormal children, who also
suffer from physical handicaps, and who presented special problems of
care, attended this unit. Nursing care and attention is provided by a
staff of three. The value of this type of care is that early training
can be instituted and progress assessed from time to time. It also
relieves the family of the severe burden which is placed upon them in
the day to day care of the child.
10 children received physiotherapy at the centre during the
year. Treatment was provided for severe disablement due to cerebral
palsy and postural defects. Speech therapy is also available at the
training centre.