View report page

Report on the Mental Health Service
Referrals and Community Care
During the year ended 31 December,1967, the department was handicapped by staff shortages
but in spite of this was able to extend the services in several fields. Community care, which is
the more positive aspect of the work, although showing a slight decrease was more effective owing
to the return of one member of the staff from a 2-year professional training course and by the addition later in the year of 2 new members experienced in intensive casework of the mentally disordered.
The number of patients admitted to hospital from this Borough is likely to remain high
because of the large number of bed-sitters and a Rowton House and a Church Army Hostel situated in the area, which make for a shifting population inevitably with a high incidence of mental
illness.
Liaison with Hospitals
We have increased our contacts with the catchment area psychiatric hospitals, 2 members
of staff spending ½ a day per week at Banstead and Springfield Hospitals, and 1 attending the
weekly case conference at St. Mary Abbot's Hospital. This has helped in the selection of patients
for community care and has given additional support to the department in the form of consultations with psychiatrists.
Training
The department has been accepted by the Universities and Colleges of Technology as suitable for student placements. Students from the Universities of London and Liverpool were accepted
for monthly and 2 monthly placements, and from Croydon Technical College for long-term placements. University College Hospital continued to send 2 medical students for 1 day per month.
One member of staff was seconded on a 2-year Certificate in Social Work Course.
Mental Health Week
The second of the 3 National Mental Health Weeks inaugurated by the National Society for
the Mentally Handicapped, which was held in June, was opened by the Chairman of the Health
Committee, with Lady Norman, C.B.E.J.P., Vice-Chairman of the National Association for Mental
Health Management Council, as speaker. The programme was fully supported by the Mental Health
team and was well attended by students from Chiswick Polytechnic and local schools.
Fulham Training Centre has places for 60 boys and girls aged between 5 and 16 years and the
average daily attendance for the year was 48.
The syllabus included social training, music and movement, and simple instruction using
the Montessori method of teaching. One member of staff qualified for a Diploma in the Montessori
Method of Education during the year.
Several outings were arranged for the children in the Summer, including trips to Chessington
Zoo, Wimbledon Park, Hurlingham Park, and to places of interest in London. Two open days were
arranged during the year, the first in July and the second shortly before Christmas when the children
performed the Christmas Story in mime for parents and friends. Two Christmas parties were
given for the children one generously provided by a Youth Group. A gift of money was received
from the Hammersmith Branch of the National Society for Mentally Handicapped Children and a
local publican presented sweets and cordials.
Visits were made to the Centre by groups of students from the Froebel Institute, the Maria
Assumpta College, Avery College, and St. Nicholas's College, by a Ministry of Health official, and
various other London Borough officers.
College Park Training Centre has places for 35 older girls and women and the average daily
attendance was 28.
The syllabus included social training and domestic subjects, e.g. simple cookery, embroidery. and other household duties, to enable the girls to be useful and accepted members of their
55