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Long-Term Care
Obtaining places for persons requiring long-term hospital accommodation became
increasingly difficult during the year but admissions were arranged for eight persons.
Nevertheless, there were eight persons still awaiting admission at the end of the year.
The number of persons for whom long-term care in approved homes is necessary
grew during the year at an accelerating rate. At the end of the year the Council
was financially responsible for the maintenance of 20 mentally ill persons, compared
with 14 at the end of 1965, and the number of mentally subnormal persons for whom
the Council was similarly responsible rose even more rapidly, from 23 to 59 over
the same period, including an increase of 16 persons during 1969.
These increases are, if the number of Lewisham residents accommodated at Honor
Lea (which rose from 6 to 18 over the same four years period) are included with
the mentally ill persons maintained in approved homes, very closely in line with the
trend in the totals for all local authorities in England and Wales. The increases
in the number of mentally ill for whom care is arranged is in accordance with
national changes in the method of treating mental illness. The increase in the
number of mentally subnormal is most marked among children and among the
severely subnormal (again in line with national trends) and appears to be a product
of the improved chances of such children surviving at birth, changes in family
structure and attitudes towards care of their subnormal members, and more widespread
knowledge of the facilities available.
Although more places were obtained during the year, this was not without much
difficulty as the demand by most local authorities for places in suitable homes
continues to grow.
Honor Lea Hostel
In spite of staff shortages, Honor Lea has continued to be fully occupied for most
of the year. During 1969 there were 26 admissions (including 3 re-admissions) plus
3 admissions for short-term care. 21 came direct from hospital, 5 from home and
3 from lodgings.
There were 32 discharges—10 returned to hospital, 7 to home and 15 to lodgings.
Many ex-residents still require the support of the hostel and their successful maintenance
in the community has sometimes depended on the fact that they have been
able to return to the hostel at frequent intervals to discuss problems with the staff
or just to renew old friendships.
During the year further rooms were converted to form a second self-care unit.
A total of six residents can now be helped through having the opportunity to cater
and look after themselves, thus gaining confidence before making the next step
to returning to independent life in the community.
A good employment record has been maintained throughout the year and all
residents able to work have been found jobs, mainly through the efforts of the
Warden; those not able to go to outside employment immediately on admission
were admitted to one of the day centres for a period of rehabilitation. Work
absenteeism continues to be below national average.
75 Arbuthnot Road
This year saw the beginning of a new venture, a "half-way house" for those who
have been mentally ill and have recovered sufficiently to be able to cater for themselves
but still need the support of sheltered accommodation. 75 Arbuthnot Road
is a three-storied, terraced house converted into two single flatlets sharing a kitchen
and five double flatlets, each with its own kitchen-dining room. There are no resident
staff, but a senior mental health officer keeps in close touch. At the end of the year
there were in residence one married couple, one mother and baby and two women
occupying the two single flatlets. Two other residents were due to move in within
a few days.
One mother and child, admitted when the house opened, have been able to move
back to their original home after a stay of a few months.
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