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Patients are given a full medical examination and parents are given advice and
help where appropriate. If treatment is considered necessary, patients are referred to
their family doctors. Those in need of dental treatment are referred to psychiatric
hospitals serving the Borough.
During 1970 there were 55 attendances.
Guardianship and Informal Foster Care.
At the end of 1970 there was only one patient under the Guardianship of the
Council, (two at the end of 1969). In order to avoid formal Guardianship procedures
informal placements are made wherever practicable. There were also 41 patients placed
under informal foster care arrangements in homes and hostels; nine in the Council's
hostel at 11, Rosslyn Road, East Twickenham, and 32 in homes and hostels run by
other local authorities, voluntary organisations, etc. Liaison is maintained by annual
visits by the Senior Medical Officer for Community Care.
The Hostel, 11, Rosslyn Road, East Twickenham.
The Council opened its first hostel for the mentally subnormal young adults at
11, Rosslyn Road, East Twickenham, on the 20th September, 1970, the premises having
previously been used as a hostel for the tuberculous. This is a 12 place hostel, six males
and six females and the premises are staffed by a resident warden and housekeeper;
resident assistant warden, and domestic staff. The residents attend the adult training
centre daily or go out to work. The premises were adapted at a cost of £2,500.
I set out below a report received from Mr. S. Summers the Warden in charge of
the hostel: —
"My wife and I moved into the house at 11, Rosslyn Road on 15th June,
1970. It had been fumigated, stripped, adapted and had workmen trampling all
over the carpets and polished floors. It was dirty, dismal and unloved. There
followed three months of cleaning, organising and equipping until, on September
20th, fully staffed and fairly clean, we welcomed our first residents and became a
Hostel.
The settling-in period began. The location of the Hostel, so close to parks,
river, cinemas and shopping area, is a great asset. The residents were introduced
to and readily accepted by, local shopkeepers. An art class was commenced with
the assistance of a local artist, who has become a regular visitor and friend of the
residents.
Advice on medical and casework matters is obtained from regular weekly
visits from Dr. Cicily Clarke, Senior Medical Officer for Community Care, and
from a further weekly meeting between the Senior Social Worker, the Manager of
the Adult Training Centre (to which the majority of residents have been admitted)
and myself.
The climax of our six months work was reached on the occasion of the residents'
Christmas Party on December 21st. Invitations were sent out to all those
who had shown even the slightest interest in the Hostel. As a result, well over 100
'friends' attended with many more sending their apologies. In addition, following
invitations to the Training Centre and two other similar Hostels, our number of
'residents' for the evening was increased to 25! A memorable evening, enjoyed
by all. Christmas Day itself was a quiet, family affair.
The foundation of the Hostel has been set. The pattern must now be to
further our contact with the local community with the aim on the complete
acceptance of this Hostel and its residents in the environment."
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;
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