View report page

34
Transport
The former London County Council hired private coaches to transport
children to the training centres and for a couple of years this practice
continued in Hackney. It was felt, however, that from the trainees point
of view this was not a satisfactory service in view of the distances to
pick up points and the length of time taken on a round. Accordingly the Council
authorised the purchase of six smaller coaches. New routes were devised which
it was anticipated would reduce walking time and time spent on a coach. This
would be achieved by the coach making two shorter journeys each morning and
afternoon. Although the coaches had been delivered, it was not possible to
bring them into operation by the end of the year.
Special Care Units
One of the most urgent problems in respect of severely mentally and
physically handicapped children has oeeii the lack of provision for their
daily care, and in 1966, a special care unit for 20 children aged 5 to 16
years was opened in adapted premises in Millfields Road. This unit has
continued to provide excellent service and the progress made by all the
children there has been most remarkable. The obvious need to provide
similar accommodation for children under tne age of 5 years was emphasised;
the Council's day nurseries accept some such children but are not designed
or intended to cope with this problem. It was found possible to adapt one
of the nursery classrooms in the junior training centre as a special care
unit for 12 children under the age of 5 years, and this unit was opened in
June. It was an immediate success, and once again, I am happy to report
that the children admitted have shown remarkable progress. There is still
great pressure for places of this kind within the community, and the need
for further provision is apparent.
Short Term Care and Recuperative Holidays
Short term care is provided for sub-normal and severely sub-normal patients
for a maximum period of 8 weeks in order to provide relief for the family because
of an emergency or for some other reason. During the year, 46 patients were given
this service, and again I must note that vacancies for short term care are very
difficult to obtain. Recuperative holidays are provided for persons who have
recently suffered with psychiatric illness and during theyear 41 patients were sent
for such a holiday.
Permanent Care
Nine patients were admitted to hospital for permanent care but the situation
with regard to hospital vacancies remains very grave and the outlook shows no
sign of improvement. In order to alleviate great distress which can be caused Dy
the presence of severely handicapped persons in their families, the Council has
arrangements for such patients to be maintained in registered private homes as
necessary. At the end of the year, 25 Hackney patients were accommodated in
private residential homes.
The provision of hostel accommodation for psychiatric patients is Decoming
an increasing problem. At the present time, there are no hostels within the
Borough, but the Council was maintaining in 1967, 24 patients in hostels run by
voluntary organisations and statutory authorities in other areas.
Developmental Assessment Clinic
This clinic is held weekly by a medical officer who specialises in the
assessment of children who do not appear to be making satisfactory progress.