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MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Throughout the year there was again a steady increase in the demand for community
services, particularly in the field of mental illness. It is becoming more apparent with the
advances in modern methods of treatment that the need for long term hospital care is
decreasing and it is expected that the numbers of persons needing help will continue to
grow. With this in mind and anticipating the demands which will be made upon the
existing services, it is clear that in common with many forward-looking authorities,
this borough will need to introduce new ideas to keep abreast of the modern approach to
mental health community care.
There was also an increase of 5% in new referrals for subnormality and although the
Borough services appeared to be good in this respect, it is clear that increased facilities
are now urgently required particularly for severely subnormal adults.
The most pressing needs will therefore be taken into account in considering plans for
future development with high priority being given to services for the adult subnormal and
mentally infirm elderly.
Mental Illness
I mentioned in my last report that because of the increasing complexities of the
service it was important the Field Worker should be fully experienced and qualified in
Social Work. The practice has therefore continued to second two members of staff per year to
appropriate courses to receive training. I am confident the long term value of such training
will permit the Mental Welfare Officer to specialise in the fields of social work and to
deploy his skills more broadly. Although there was some movement of staff the Department
was most fortunate in attracting new staff with good social work qualifications.
Allied to staffing generally the service has provided practical placement facilities
for four students from professional courses. Three from High Wycombe College and one from
Chiswick Polytechnic.
Casework
At the end of the year the total known caseload of both psychiatric patients and
mentally handicapped was 1,255 — 906 psychiatric patients and 349 mentally handicapped
over 16 years of age. Social Work with the mentally handicapped under 16 years of age
continued, in the main, by the Health Visitor but in close co-operation with the Social
Workers, and therefore the overall case load was somewhat in excess of the figures quoted.
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