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patient to carry out the renal dialysis herself at home, and avoid repeated
hospital admissionsc She has subsequently been visited by the Council's
Medical Officers and has been found to be in good health.
Report on Mental Health Services for 1969
Referrals and Community. Care
Difficulties were again experienced in the staffing situation during
the year ended 31st, December, 1969. Seven members of staff left, one for
promotion to another department within the Borough, one to take up a child
guidance clinic appointment with another London Borough, two for further
professional training,one on marriage, and two to return to their own
countries.
By the. end of the year seven. rep la cements had been made leaving one
outstanding vacancy. In addition, two members of the staff were seconded,
one on a 1-year and the other on a 2-year professional training course.
000There was a slight decrease in the overall number of cases referred
to the Mental Health Service,but a slight increase in the number of mentally
handicapped who were referred. The admissions to hospital, both informal
and compulsory, were again down on previous years and this was considered
to be due to the continued and increased use of out-patient facilities
at the three local hospitals,Fulham, St. Mary Abbots and St. Charles.
♦
The lack of staff and the slow rate of recruitment meant that fewer
cases were accepted for community care. This need for discrimination means
that many patients who would benefit from community care are denied this
facility.
Liaison with Hospitals
The Mental Health Social Workers continued their close collaboration
with the catchment area psychiatric hospitals, Banstead and Springfield,
A member of staff attended weekly discharge conferences at both hospitals,
and at the Psychiatric Unit at St, Mary Abbots Hospital.
Owing to staff shortages, it has not yet been possible to extend this
facility to St. Charles Hospital, but when Area Team 1 moves into its permanent
accommodation it is hoped to provide this service.
The plans formulated last year for a closer liaison with Leavesden
Hospital, one of the catchment area hospitals for the mentally handicapped,
were starting in January, 1969. The Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Bavin,
holds weekly assessment clinics for all age groups, but mainly for the
parents of very young children. A Mental Health Social Worker sits in at
all the interviews, and joint discussions are held with parents and psychiatrist
about future needs of the clients.
This is still in an experimental stage and changes will undoubtedly
be made before the best method is reached of giving the maximum help and
support to this very vulnerable group of mainly young parents
Training
The Mental Health Services are still being accepted by Universities
and Colleges of Technology as suitable for student placements, Again this
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