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The percentage entering a mental hospital (71.7) and the percentage of these certified
(72.3) was still much higher than the corresponding percentage of cases dealt with in
observation wards—61.5 and 30.0 respectively.
Community care and after care
Psychiatric social workers—The psychiatric social workers dealt with 361 cases during
1959, compared with 594 in 1958. This reduction was due to a shortage of psychiatric
social workers. It was not until November that the full complement of five psychiatric
social workers became available; previously not more than three could be obtained. In
120 cases the referring agency was able to continue to deal with the patient after receiving
advice and help from the psychiatric social workers, who dealt directly with the remaining
241.
Long term care—During the year 181 chronic and senile cases (compared with 176
during 1958) were maintained by the Council; 161 at homes owned or sponsored by the
Mental After Care Association, 10 at hostels of the Jewish Board of Guardians, six at
Parnham House run by the National Association for Mental Health, and four at other
establishments.
Recuperative holidays and rehabilitation—During the year 136 persons recovering from
mild psychiatric illness were granted recuperative holidays of two to three weeks in general
recuperative holiday homes; 12 who had had more serious breakdowns were sent for
similar periods to homes owned or sponsored by the Mental After Care Association and
16 were accommodated for periods up to twelve weeks, or longer when necessary, at the
Mental After Care Association homes at Dartford, Kent; Cheam, Surrey; and Chiswick,
Middlesex; which provide especially for the rehabilitation of younger patients capable of
work. The total of 164 compares with 101 in 1958.
Fifty-one London patients commenced attendance at the rehabilitation centre run by
the Institute of Social Psychiatry at Blackfriars during the year: of these, and 33 others
already attending at the end of 1958, 11 were discharged to work, one to further training
and 34 were discharged as unsuitable, or because of non-attendance or admission to a
mental hospital. At the end of the year 38 London patients were attending the centre.
During the year the Council approved the establishment of its first directly run day
centre, to provide occupation and training for up to 40 mental patients of either sex.
This centre, to be accommodated in premises at 96 Dalston Lane, Hackney, formerly a
day nursery, is intended for patients suffering from residual mental disturbance after an
acute mental illness and as a preventive service for those who do not need hospital treatment.
Activities will depend on the needs and interests of the patients, but it is expected
that training in carpentry, gardening and cookery will be included.
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