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The hostel was opened in March 1966 to
accommodate up to 30 women and men who are
recovering from mental illness and require
supportive care in an understanding, sympathetic
and permissive environment in order to acquire a
measure of self assurance and stability to enable
them within a reasonable time to resume a
normal life.
Forty-two residents have been admitted during
the first year. Of this number, nine were admitted
from other hostels, eighteen from hospitals and
fifteen from their homes.
Of these forty-two, twenty are still in residence,
two are deceased, eight were discharged as being
unsuitable, five have suffered relapses and were
returned to hospital, two left of their own accord
after brief periods of residence, one returned
home after being given temporary residence in the
hostel and four have returned to normal
community life.

Applicants who are recommended and who wish
to be admitted to the hostel are interviewed and
selected by a panel consisting of the consultant
psychiatrist, principal medical officer, chief
mental welfare officer and the warden.
All applicants have suffered either mental illness
or emotional disturbances due to environment
pressures, which they have found excessive.
In the early days of the hostel several borderline
sub-normal patients were admitted but all have
now left. Two. possibly three. residents appear to
require more support than a short-stay hostel can
provide and long stay supportive accommodation
will be sought for them. One patient with psychopathic
tendencies who was subject to hysterical
outbursts and suicidal gestures has recently been
readmitted to the hostel following an intensive
course of group therapy at the Henderson
Hospital, and is now improving.
Others, who previously experienced great difficulty
in mixing with others and holding down
jobs are now regularly employed. Despite the
effects of the selective employment tax, every
resident is working. Several residents have
benefitted by their training at Industrial Therapy
Organisation (Thames) Ltd, but none is there at
present. Two residents have improved following
out-patient treatment at the West Middlesex
Hospital.
Due to the small number and widely differing
ages of the residents it is difficult to organise
social activities but they are given every encouragement
to lead a normal life by getting out
as much as possible and by inviting their friends
to the hostel. Swimming and skating parties have
been successfully organised.
Each resident is on the list of a family doctor
and the majority tend to register with one in particular.
In addition the consultant psychiatrist
visits the hostel once a week to keep a careful
watch on the patients progress.
Support is also given by the mental health
social workers, particularly by the deputy chief
mental welfare officer.
A complete change of resident staff occurred
during the year. Soon after the hostel opened
both the warden and housekeeper resigned and
three months later it also became necessary to
replace the assistant warden who resigned on
being appointed trainee mental health social
worker with the borough.
Little change has occurred among the domestic
staff who have made a valuable contribution to
the life of the hostel.
There was some doubt in the district when a
mental rehabilitation hostel was initially discussed.
However, after 'one year's service',
24 Wood Lane has quietly and successfully
merged into the local domestic scene. There have
been no untoward visible occurrences. We have
been accepted, and some good has been accomplished.
I am grateful to Dr Colin Herridge, consultant
psychiatrist for the following report—
Report on Hospital Psychiatric Service
'Accepting the regrettable fact that Springfield
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