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Prophylaxis—To ensure that immunisation is completed an intensive follow-up procedure
has been instituted and reminder letters are sent to mothers.
Following the experimental use of the Paddington hospital syringe service, disposable
syringes were introduced during the year and have proved satisfactory.
Health visiting—Great demands are still made on the time of the health visitor and the
pressure has increased because recruitment has not kept pace with resignations and
retirements.
Health education—This has formed a feature of the work and is reflected in the high
attendance at ante-natal and other educational classes for mothers at the centres.
Mental Health—Co-operation with the Tavistock Clinic and welfare centres has been
maintained and three mental health education discussion groups are held in the division.
These are attended by psychiatrists, psychiatric social workers, doctors and health visitors.
The first year of the working of the decentralised mental health services has shown the
new organisation has worked well and integration with the other services provided by the
division continues.
The division has a very substantial share of all referrals in the county under the Mental
Health Act, 1959, with a high proportion of cases referred for compulsory admission.
Despite the pressure that this branch of work imposes on the mental health team, developments
in other fields have taken place. Every chance is seized of contacting other social
worker and public health agencies and opportunities for informal case discussions are made
available whenever required. The community care service in the subnormal field has been
well maintained.
A new special clinic for diagnostic as well as supportive work is held by Dr. Alexander
at the Harrow Road welfare centre. This clinic has become well established and enables
the service to cover far more of the division than was formerly the case. Some expansion
of the community care of the mentally ill has been undertaken. In addition to the work of
the psychiatric social worker, the visiting of mentally ill patients in their homes is being
undertaken by mental welfare officers and it is in this field that future developments are
anticipated. A good liaison has been established with the psychiatric clinics of local hospitals
and the out-patients' departments of the catchment area hospitals. The importance of the
patient's private doctor in matters relating to mental health is clearly recognised in the new
Act and divisionalisation has enabled local practitioners to get closer to the mental welfare
officers. Many doctors now know the divisional staff personally and are able to use their
services freely on an informal as well as a formal basis.
Prevention of break-up of families—The work in connection with the prevention of
neglect and ill-treatment of children in their own homes has increased greatly. During
the year sixty-three families came before the divisional co-ordinating machinery as presenting
particularly difficult problems. In addition twenty-seven families have been reviewed
on one or more occasions. These conferences are very well attended and many people,
both from statutory and voluntary organisations, speak of their value.
There are now two full-time family case workers in the division and one social worker
is doing part-time case work.
The largest number of referrals come from health visitors. More cases, however, are
now being referred by outside agencies—including borough council housing departments.
99
G*