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Day centres for the mentally ill
There is no day centre for the mentally ill in Wandsworth but,
where appropriate, patients attend day centres run by other London
Boroughs. In Wandsworth we have been exploring the possibility
of running a small day centre, perhaps using occupational therapy
staff, in hired accommodation. There seems to be considerable
need for such provision.
Voluntary help for the mentally ill
In addition to the Lunch Club run in Putney by the Rev. Brian
Dawson, there have been other links developed in Tooting with a
group of church people who now provide voluntary help at the
social club, and also a number of individuals who visit our clients
on a friendly basis. It is clear that this sort of co-operation is
extremely valuable, although it does involve social workers in a
good deal of liaison and supportive work with volunteers.
COMMUNITY CARE OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED
It has been most stimulating for the mental health section to have
a group of social workers meeting regularly with representatives
of the parents' group from the Wandsworth Society for Mentally
Handicapped Children. Many ideas have developed from these
meetings and it is hoped that similar contact will be maintained
in the future.
Special clinics
Health visitors, social workers and doctors are able to secure
early advice for parents of mentally handicapped children through
the special assessment and consultative clinics at St. Christopher's
and Balham Child Health Centres as well as at the out-patients
clinic provided at St. George's Hospital, Tooting by Dr. Kirman
from Queen Mary's Hospital for Children, Carshalton. Every
effort is made to provide support for the parents as well as practical
services for young mentally handicapped children within the
limits of the facilities available; these include such services as
short-term care, attendance at the special unit at Summerley dav
nursery or visits by mental health social workers. In addition, a
number of very young children are taken daily to units at Queen
Mary's Hospital, Carshalton. and to the Manor Hospital.