View report page

1970 started badly. One tenant's disturbed behaviour caused damage to the
property and complaints from neighbours. As a result of this, the Health and
Establishment Committees agreed to the employment of a psychiatric nurse on the
premises until the tenant was housed elsewhere. It was felt that in future some
provision should be made to deal with emergency situations arising outside normal
office hours. The best solution seemed to be to offer free accommodation to a member
of staff in return for his or her presence on the premises. This was put into effect
in December.
For the last half of the year the number of residents was reduced to two ladies
occupying the top floor; the rest of the house was closed for extensive repairs and
redecorations made necessary because of a fire in one of the first-floor rooms.
It was agreed that in future the majority of residents should be those ready to
move on from Honor Lea hostel.
During the year agreement was reached with the Housing Department that those
residents of Honor Lea and Arbuthnot Road who were ready to lead a fully independent
life in the community could apply for inclusion in the Borough's housing
list.
DAY CENTRES
The total number of new admissions to the Cambridge and New Cross day centres
during 1970 was 95; the highest figure since full-time day centres for the rehabilitation
for the mentally ill were opened in Lewisham in 1965. The primary aim of the
centre is to help people back to work. During the year 29 people were re-instated in
open employment and one was transferred to the Department of Employment and
Productivity Industrial Rehabilitation Centre. Many men and women referred,
however, are suffering from chronic disability and can never be fully rehabilitated.
For them the centres provide a purpose in life, helping them to make a valid contribution
to the community through the industrial work programme and offering
social contacts and support from skilled staff, thus preventing further deterioration
and breakdown.
The Supervisor of the New Cross day centre is responsible for finding industrial
contract work for all mental health centres. During the year a continuous programme
of varied and interesting work has been maintained, including packing, light assembly
and electronic work, making it possible to provide work of varying degrees of complexity
to suit individual needs.
Tideway Social Club
This club—for those recovering from mental illness—continues to meet one evening
a week at the New Cross day centre and has had a very successful year under the
leadership of two members of staff and volunteers. Thirty people were on the club
register at the end of the year. A new venture this year was the introduction of rug
making and art. Towards the end of the year a film-making project on the club
was begun. Other actitivites have included a twenty-first birthday party, visits to
the pantomime and a B.B.C. show, and sight-seeing walks in London.
Alcoholism and Addiction
Social work with alcoholics and drug addicts has continued this year, but owing
to pressure of work has had to be combined with other senior social work duties.
A general policy of working in close liaison with the consultant psychiatrist in charge
of the alcoholic unit at Bexley Hospital has been continued, and expanded to include
attendance at the Alcoholic Out Patient Clinic at Castlewood Day Hospital on one
evening a week, to work with patients who are Lewisham residents. A monthly
review with the consultant psychiatrist of current Lewisham cases has continued
and, in addition, discussions take place at the weekly Castlewood clinic. Ward
assessment meetings are also attended when Lewisham patients are to be reviewed
prior to discharge.
65