Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Richmond]
This page requires JavaScript
The aim of the adult training centres is to train those attending to function at the
very highest possible level whether that be to work within the centre or in outside
employment. In this way the trainees become more independent and are able to lead
as full a life as possible.
Work is undertaken at the centres for local firms on a contract basis and includes
assembly of electrical components and television parts, toy assembly, carpentry and
joinery, involving the use of heavy machinery, gardening, etc., etc.
At the Brentford and Acton Lodge Adult Training Centres the Trainees work
a 40 hour week, i.e. eight hours daily, Monday to Friday, including a lunch break. They
are paid on a scale ranging from 8/- to £2 per week according to diligence, ability, and
application to the job.
At the Kingston Training Centre the trainees work a 32½ hour week, i.e six-anda-half
hours per day Monday to Friday, including a lunch break. The trainees are paid
monetary rewards on a, scale ranging from 5/- to 30/- per week.
I am indebted to Dr. R. L. Lindon, Medical Officer of Health, London Borough of
Hounslow, and Dr. J. C. Birchall, Medical Officer of Health, Royal Borough of
Kingston upon Thames, for the extremely fair and generous manner in which they
have undertaken the provision of places for mentally handicapped children from the
London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Although sporadic, Hounslow is able
to continue to take children into its training centres, but considerable difficulty is
experienced with the placement of children who would normally attend the Kingston
Centre. This centre has been full to capacity for the greater part of the year and it is
evident that until such time as this Borough makes its own provision children living in
the Richmond and Barnes areas will receive little or no training.
By arrangement with the London Boroughs of Hillingdon and Hounslow arrangements were made for children and adults from Richmond upon Thames to attend holiday camps as follows:
Borough. | Place. | Dates. | Number Attended. |
---|---|---|---|
London Borough of Hillingdon (Junior Camp) | Park Place Residential School, Henley-on-Thames. | 24.7.66 5.8.66 | 1 male. |
London Borough of Hounslow (Adult Camp) | St. Mary's Bay, Romney Marsh, Kent. | 30.8.66 - 9.9.66 | 4 males. |
Arrangements had also been made for three Richmond upon Thames residents to
attend the holiday camp run by the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames at Pirate
Springs, Dymchurch, Kent, from the 23 rd July to the 30th July, but unfortunately at
the last moment the camp had to be cancelled due to an infectious illness.
It is with regret that I include the following details of mentally handicapped children who died in 1966:
Age. | Sex. | Cause of Death. |
---|---|---|
10 | F | Renal failure. Inferior vena caval thrombosis. Spastic paraplegia and microcephaly. |
12 | F | Broncho pneumonia. Severe subnormality. Epilepsy. |
12 | M | Cardio respiratory failure. Broncho pneumonia. Cerebral palsy. |