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56
at their own request (this group were visited in their homes by mental
health social workers on leaving the centre), 1 was admitted to an
industrial rehabilitation unit.
10 patients discharged during the year had to be readmitted
later owing to re-exacerbation of illness. It is pleasing to report
that 15 patients were discharged to open employment - the average
attendance of this group at the centre was of ten weeks duration.
The provision of work creates a therapeutic setting for many
patients and helps in their rehabilitation. One of the new activities
which proved useful in this sphere was the introduction of a printing
machine, which was purchased by the patients as a result of their own
efforts. It is unfortunate that the supply of outwork for printing
has been irregular but efforts are being made to secure a regular
supply of work. A certain amount of industrial work has been obtained
from local industries.
Discussion groups are held at the centre and the mental health
social workers maintain contact with the patients who attend there.
Several successful open days were held during the year when
the public were invited to see the work done at the centre. As in
previous years the Disablement Resettlement Officers of the Department
of Employment and Productivity have given valuable advice
regarding the placement of patients attending the unit.
Kingston Training Centre for the Mentally Handicapped
This unit has now been in operation for six years. It provides
accommodation for children who require special care, training facilities
for children between the ages of 5 and 16 and also training for adults,
together with workshop facilities. A special care unit provides 12
places for children who are severely mentally subnormal and also physically
handicapped. This group receive physiotherapy twice weekly, which is helpful
in assisting them to overcome physical disabilities. The programme
in the special care unit is formed on basic training and "self-help"
activities such as eating, toilet training and dressing. When progress
is satisfactory the children are transferred to the nursery class where
more formal activities are introduced. Transfer to other classes cannot
be decided on chronological age alone; other factors such as limitations
imposed by intelligence level, sensory defects, emotional attitudes and
social conditions have to be taken into account before a change is made.
Each case is discussed by members of the staff before a transfer is made.