During the year 33 handicapped persons were found employment as out-workers or as factory workers.
73. The rehabilitation centre of the Hong Kong Society for Re- habilitation should be ready by the end of 1961. Initially it will take in 80 patients who are victims of industrial accidents and can be treated effectively over a limited period and re-employed in industry. Adjacent to the centre the British Red Cross Society is planning a home for 60 crippled children. The Society at present runs classes for 234 children at the Haven of Hope Sanitorium, the Grantham Hospital and the Children's Convalescent Home at Sandy Bay.
74. Strong social prejudice continued to make difficult the work of integrating cured lepers and non-infectious tubercular patients into the community. Some 200 cured lepers were under the care of the Depart- ment during the year. Some were given a period of training at North Point Camp after their discharge from the Hei Ling Chau Leprosarium and a few were found rooms in the resettlement estates. Meanwhile, the Lutheran World Service has made a start in the vocational rehabilita- tion of non-infectious tubercular patients.
75. Advances were achieved in the field of mental health with the drawing up of a new Mental Health Ordinance and the enactment early in the year of the Drug Addicts Treatment and Rehabilitation Ordinance (No. 34 of 1960) providing for voluntary treatment. At the close of the year the Department had 54 mental defectives, nearly all of them children under 13, under its supervision at North Point Camp and 91 others living with their own families. Government decisions on the recommendations of Dr. L. T. HILLIARD for the care of the mentally subnormal in Hong Kong were expected soon after the end of the year. This Section also assumed the responsibility for follow-up work in certain cases of attempted suicide.
76. Two new homes for the aged were being built, while progress was made in the extension of three existing homes. As most Chinese families still feel a strong sense of obligation towards the aged, old folks are encouraged whenever possible to remain with their families.
77. A Working Party appointed to consider the co-ordination of training for handicapped persons completed its investigations and sub- mitted its recommendations at the end of the year. A summary of the voluntary organizations working with the physically handicapped and the aged appears at Appendix 18.
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