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The total number of subnormal and severely subnormal persons under community
care at the end of 1968 was 237 compared with 228 in 1967. This does not include
those patients placed in residential accommodation under Guardianship and informal
foster care arrangements.
Guardianship and Informal Foster Care.
At the end of 1968, there were three patients under the Guardianship of the
Council (three at the end of 1967). There were also 23 under informal foster care
arrangements in homes or hostels run by voluntary societies and private homes (17 at
31st December, 1967). In order to avoid formal guardianship procedures, informal
placements are made wherever practicable. The Guardianship Society, Hove, is most
helpful in assisting in the placement of patients in suitable homes.
As Medical Officer of Health of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames,
I represent the London Boroughs Association on the General Committee of the Guardianship
Society, Hove, but will not be seeking renomination after May, 1969.
Admissions to Hospital.
The Borough is in the catchment area of Normansfield Hospital, Teddington,
which serves the districts of Twickenham, Teddington, Hampton and Hampton Wick;
Botleys Park Hospital, Chertsey, Queen Mary's Hospital, Carshalton, and St. Ebba's
Hospital, Epsom, which cover the districts of Richmond and Barnes. The majority of
patients from the Richmond and Barnes area are admitted to Botleys Park Hospital.
Younger children are admitted to Queen Mary's Hospital, Carshalton. The following
table shows the number of admissions which have taken place from 1st January, 1968
to the 3 1st December, 1968, all of which were on an informal basis : —

During the year there were 6 admissions to hospital on a permanent basis compared
with 6 in 1967.
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