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167
Domiciliary visiting is carried out in most cases, for the Bexley
Hospital policy is not to admit unless patient has been seen by
one of their consultants.
Mental Hospitals apart, there are only three doctors in the
Borough approved in accordance with the Mental Health Act and
the situation would be eased considerably if more local general
practitioners could be so authorised.
Accommodation
Although the number of beds available to our psychiatric patients
is unspecified, little trouble is experienced in obtaining admission
of adults to Bexley Hospital within whose catchment area this
Borough falls. Our difficulties arise with the children for, other
than at the Maudsley Hospital which caters for the country as a
whole and is therefore very selective, no such accommodation is
available to them. Limited treatment is afforded at the Castlewood
Day Hospital.
Castlewood Day Hospital
Undoubtedly the day hospital has great potentiality locally and
this day hospital is pleasant and reasonably accessible.
Formerly a small hospital annexe, these premises consist of
treatment, consulting and day rooms with office and dining accommodation.
With the exception of the social worker, all staff are
hospital appointments.
The number of patients varies between 25 and 45 but, for the
reasons of comfort, is usually in the 30s range. Treatment is
physically orientated but discussion groups are held and some
counselling is undertaken by the psychiatrists. In this unit the
majority of patients are neurotics or depressives and supervision
of treatment is assumed by the Bexley Hospital consultant
psychiatrists who remain the sole sources of referral which is
effected almost exclusively through the out-patients clinics.
Day Centres (see also page 150)
Federation Combined Centre
Adapted as a Day Centre in April, 1968, this building, held by
the Council on an unexpired lease of 20 years, provides places for
60 persons.
This establishment is used as a combined centre to rehabilitate
persons who are suffering or have suffered from mental illness and
physical handicaps but will also, eventually, accommodate up to
20 senile persons for similar purposes.
Inevitably some chronic cases will not respond but beneficial
effects will be felt by relatives who, from time to time, will be
relieved of their responsibilities when these cases attend the centre.