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MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE
Co-operation with all organisations concerned with mental health was fully
maintained during the year. The Psychiatric Advisory Committee to the Medical Officer
of Health met on three occasions. Matters discussed by the Committee, consisting of four
consultants from hospitals with catchment areas in the Borough, included facilities in the
community for the mentally subnormal, psychiatric hostel accommodation, provisions
for seriously disturbed adolescents, clinic facilities for subnormal patients, the Council's
Five-Year Plan for mental health establishments and the Grange Tannery Project
mentioned later in this report.
Close liaison between hospital and local health authority after care services also
continued and five mental welfare officers were employed on a joint appointment basis
with psychiatric hospitals in the area. Two council nurses with psychiatric training
continued to work within the catchment area of St. Olave's Hospital. In conjunction with
the hospital these nurses attended case conferences, learned the patients' needs and were
able to visit the patients' homes and ensure that the prescribed treatment was carried out.
There was further co-operation with the hospital service in the continued joint
appointment of an occupational therapist who made home visits and gave instructions in
a number of activities; limited payments may be made to patients able to undertake light
industrial work in their own homes.
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