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Services for the Mentally III
Liaison for Services concerned with the mentally ill
The Psychiatric Liaison Committee, comprising consultant psychiatrists from Bexley
and Cane Hill Hospitals, a general practitioner, a representative from the Welfare
Department and Senior Officers of the Health Department met quarterly to discuss
matters of policy and planning. Monthly meetings were held for mental health
social workers, staffs of establishments for the mentally ill, hospitals' consultants
and social workers. Representatives of the Welfare and Children's Departments
attended, and from time to time, members of other sections of the Health Department.
This proved a valuable forum for ironing out general problems of policy and
procedure, and for integrating all services having a concern for the mentally ill.
Honor Lea Hostel
The hostel continued to be fully occupied for the first 9 months of 1968. There was
a falling off in referrals during the last quarter of the year and there were 45 out of a
possible 51 at the end of the year.
In June, 1968 a self-care-unit comprising three bed-sitting rooms, dining room
and kitchen, was set up in order to provide a further stage in rehabilitation for those
who need to gain confidence in budgeting and catering for themselves, before moving
out into the community. The unit accommodates three persons who are expected
to do their own housework and to shop and cook for themselves. Other facilities
of the hostel, including advice from the warden and his staff, continue to be available
to them.
The project has proved successful and a second self-care unit is to be set up in 1969.
During 1968 the total number of admissions to the hostel were 33. Of the 35 who
left the hostel during the year, 20 returned to their own homes or to lodgings or other
hostels; 15 were re-admitted to hospital, 7 of these returned to "Honor Lea" after
a short period of treatment.
A rule of the hostel is that all residents must be willing and able to work. The work
record of the residents continued to be very good and the absentee figures were below
the national average.
Three group holidays for a total of 25 residents unable to make their own arrangements
were organised at Ramsgate. These groups were unaccompanied by members
of staff, but they went to the care of an experienced landlady, well known to the
department.
Day Centres
During the year 64 patients were admitted to the two day centres. At the end of the
year there was a total of 64 on the register. 26 returned to outside employment
during the year.
The Supervisor of the New Cross Day Centre was given the additional responsibility
for negotiating contracts for industrial work for the two day centres and the
adult training centres. A steady flow of varied types of industrial work was maintained
throughout the year. Gross earnings from industrial contracts at the day centres were
approximately £2,500. £1,840 was spent on fares and ex gratia payments to persons
attending the centres.
Social Clubs
Weekly meetings of the two social clubs continued to be held. An innovation this
year was a group holiday for three members of the Tideway Club financed out of
club funds.
Therapeutic Group
A new feature this year was the introduction of a weekly group meeting under the
leadership of a social worker experienced in group work. This is for selected patients
only. Over the year 32 patients, including six married couples, have attended the group.
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