HC Deb 26 November 1969 vol 792 cc99-100W
Mr. Tom McMillan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to improve the training of staff in occupational centres for mentally handicapped children and adults.

Mr. Ross

I have appointed a committee under the chairmanship of Mr. C. Melville, Director of Education for Roxburgh, to review the training for staff in occupational centres. The remit of the committee isTo consider the training of the staff of education authority occupational centres for mentally handicapped children and local authority training centres for adult defectives, and to consider how far this training might be suitable for staff in local authority care centres for mentally handicapped children who have been excluded from education or training in school, and staff engaged in the education and training of children in mental deficiency hospitals.

The members of the committee are:

  • Dr. Thomas Y. Bennie, M.B., Ch.B., D.P.H., Medical Officer of Health for Renfrew County.
  • Mr. Arnold Blinn, M.A., Head Teacher, Gadburn School, Glasgow.

facilities for orthopaedic treatment, in spring, 1970 and to appoint a further consultant. It is anticipated that when the new orthopaedic out-patient facilities are in full use this should lead to a reduction in the length of time patients wait for orthopaedic consultation there.