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they once may have had. Many have been fearful of the prospects of work, or taking responsibility,
of making a home and deciding for themselves, and most are scared of being singled out as being
different. The Centre provides a work setting in which to gain membership. The staff are there to
guide, there is not too great a pressure and there are other patients with similar problems. Regularity
and punctuality in attendance are encouraged and although no specific training is offered, this can
be arranged for those who are suitable through contact with the D.R.O. and other welfare
organisations.
From the figures set out in Table 47, page 89, it can be seen that the roll of 20 in January
increased to 45 during the year and 40 of those are residents in the City of Westminster. The
average attendance increased steadily in the first months but fluctuated in holiday months and in
December. Of the total of 55 patients discharged, about a third were discharged to work, 18% were
admitted to hospital, 27% were not prepared to accept the help the Centre could offer and 9%, only
five of the total, left for other reasons. It must be remembered that the present financial recession
makes it increasingly difficult to find employment for patients at all. The recession also affects the
amount of industrial work offered by firms which it is possible for us to do at the Centre.
The figures relating to patients who were interviewed but who refused to accept recommended
attendance and those who were offered interviews but who failed to keep the appointments,
indicates that there are still many potential patients in the community, who given encouragement,
might be able to benefit from the type of service the Centre can provide.
There have been several staff changes during the year, though Dr. Stewart, Miss Blair and
Mr. Clark remain. Miss Morley, assistant supervisor went to the Institute's Crossway Rehabilitation
Centre and was replaced in May by Mrs. A. Riseley who, unfortunately, had to give up at the end
of the year because of a difficult pregnancy. Mrs. Hendon, our other Occupational Therapist, left
in July when Miss Hanbury came to us straight from college.
At the very end of May, Mrs. Gooday was appointed by Westminster City Council as part time
domiciliary Occupational Therapist with the Terrace Day Centre as her base. Her duties took her
on home visits to become acquainted with prospective patients, accompanying agoraphobic
patients and maintaining contact with patients who had ceased to attend the Centre. There are
many possibilities to be followed in this type of work and forming a valuable extra to the Day Centre.
In May, the Goodfellows Club started and it now meets regularly using the whole of the first
floor for its activities. This is a therapeutic social club serving people in full time employment with
problems of mixing, as well as patients who attend the Centre daily. For these the day staff provide
a light supper and some ex-patients now employed come early and keep up a link with the Centre,
a follow-up which gives valuable support.
The Westminster City Council Exhibition for Mental Health Week provided an excellent
opportunity for the Centre to present itself to colleagues and the public. The Centre had a stand in
the display, showing photographs, descriptive panels and samples of work, and staff attended the
Exhibition throughout the week.
Personnel from the Centre were responsible for the Mental Health collecting day at Marylebone
Station. Many patients were anxious to help and some carried out house to house collections.
Throughout the year we have been encouraged by the interest taken in the Centre by members
of the Westminster City Council and Health Committee. We were honoured by a visit in March
from the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor A. L. Burton and the Chairman of the Health
Committee, Councillor C. A. Prendergast. In October, the succeeding Lord Mayor, Alderman A. C.
Barrett and Lady Mayoress came to see us. We were glad to welcome other members of the Health
Committee, Mrs. Shire, Mrs. Glenny and Councillor Dr. Jacobs. Dr. Briscoe-Smith has come on
various occasions together with members of his staff. Mrs. Paterson continues to give us her constant
support and her staff of Mental Health Social Workers are in close co-operation, conducting
patients to us and visiting many of their clients at the Centre. This liaison is very much appreciated
and helps us and our patients to realise that we all are working towards a common purpose.
SOCIAL WORKERS (HEALTH SERVICES)
(Miss I. J. McFarlane, M.A., Principal Social Worker (Health Services))
During 1967 the social workers in this section of the Health Department, though specialising
to a certain extent in their own particular spheres, have continued to learn more of their colleagues'
duties so that a certain amount of flexibility is possible; e.g. Case workers have helped during
holiday periods at V.D. Clinics and have also helped with old people. One of the social workers
previously doing case work with families has now transferred to a V.D. Clinic. This teamwork has