View report page

The position as regards accommodation in observation wards continued to deteriorate
and there was again an increase in the number of cases referred to the mental welfare
officers. Fewer patients could be admitted to observation wards, with the result that it
was necessary for more patients (1,681 compared with 1,416 in 1953) to be dealt with
in their homes or elsewhere than in an observation ward under sections 14 and 16 of
the Lunacy Act, 1890. Further difficulty was caused by the fact that at some mental
hospitals there was a waiting period between certification and admission which sometimes
extended for more than a week. This caused beds in observation wards to be
immobilised or necessitated the retention of patients in their homes in circumstances of
potential danger for this period.
Representations were again made to the four Metropohtan Regional Hospital Boards
expressing the Council's concern about the urgent need for the provision of accommodation
for the mentally ill and the Minister of Health was urged to give special
consideration to any plans which the boards might have for the alleviation of the
situation. Owing to financial and other difficulties, however, there appeared to be little
hope of any early improvement.

Domiciliary
after-care
The increase in the work necessitated the appointment of an additional psychiatric
social worker on 1st January, 1954. Three psychiatric social workers were employed full
time on these important duties throughout the year. They were based at the County
Hall, and each dealt with all cases in one area of the County. Patients were interviewed
privately at the County Hall or at home. One psychiatric social worker held a weekly
session at Woodberry Down Health Centre.
The Council continued to make a grant of 90 per cent. of the cost in respect of
London patients attending the social clubs and rehabilitation centre run by the Institute
of Social Psychiatry for persons suffering from mental illness.
The number of chronic and senile patients maintained by the Council in homes
sponsored by voluntary organisations increased from 90 at 31st December, 1953, to
107 at 31st December, 1954. Of these, 99 were maintained in homes sponsored by the
Mental After Care Association ; three at Moor Place, Windlesham, Surrey, a home run
by the National Association for Mental Health; three at the Jewish Board of Guardians'
home which was removed from 17 Maresfield Gardens, N.W.3 to 1 Daleham Gardens,
N.W.3 ; one at a home sponsored by the National Association for the Paralysed and
one at a small private home. The weekly maintenance rate at the homes sponsored by
the Mental After Care Association was increased from ₤3 3s. to ₤3 12s. 6d. a head,
but other maintenance rates remained unchanged during the year.
Social clubs
and
rehabilitation
centre
Long-term
care
Recuperative holidays were arranged for 205 persons recovering from psychiatric
illness, compared with 210 in 1953 and 158 in 1952. These included 34 persons sent for
periods up to 12 weeks to assist in their rehabilitation, to the Mental After Care
Associations' homes at Cheam, Surrey and Dartford, Kent, where there were special
facilities for younger patients capable of work, and 40 persons sent for periods of two
or three weeks to other homes sponsored by the Mental After Care Association. The
Recuperative
holidays
87