London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Richmond upon Thames 1967

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Richmond upon Thames]

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(b) Attendance at special care units.
Certain severely subnormal children are unable because of their unsuitability,
to attend a junior training centre. These children may be admitted to a special care
unit attached to the centre. These care units cater specifically for mentally handicapped
children who also suffer from a physical handicap, or are very over active, and provide
mothers with much needed relief and a measure of habit training for the child.
(c) Attendance at adult training centres.
Adult subnormal and severely subnormal patients from the Borough attend the
Acton Lodge and Brentford Adult Training Centres situated within the London
Borough of Hounslow, and the Kingston Training Centre situated within the Royal
Borough of Kingston upon Thames. The approximate numbers attending these centres

From the Borough are set out below:

Name of EstablishmentArea ServedNumber attending
Acton Lodge Adult Training CentreTwickenham, Teddington, Hampton 6? Hampton Wick37
Brentford Adult Training CentreDitto8
Kingston Training CentreRichmond and Barnes13
TOTAL58

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 their co-operation and help throughout the year. Hounslow
was occasionally able to take children into its training centres, but it became necessary
for the Royal Borough of Kingston to close the waiting list for the Kingston Centre.
This difficulty will be partially overcome, however, with the opening in January, 1968
of the Harle House Training Centre, Feltham.
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