London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Croydon 1960

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]

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124
(24) The Corporation will, as necessary, provide further residential
accommodation for mentally disordered persons, or will
make arrangements for its provision by other bodies or authorities,
or otherwise.
(25) The Corporation will continue to make arrangements for
short-term care.
Home Training
(26) No home or group teachers are employed at present for mentally
disordered persons, as the number with an added physical
handicap, which prohibits their attendance at a training centre,
is small. The Corporation will review the position from time to
time and if satisfied that a sufficient demand exists, will consider,
the employment of one or more suitably qualified parapetetic
teachers to give instruction in the homes of those concerned.
If instituted, such a service would operate from one or
other of the training centres.
Ray Centres, Social Clubs and other Activities
(27) As indicated, the Management Committee of Warlingham Park
Hospital (the mental hospital serving Croydon) already operates
in Croydon a day centre for mentally handicapped persons, which
now accepts 20 patients all day for five days a week. Cases of
mild senile dementia and partly recovered psychotics, who by
past treatment in the mental hospital have been rendered able to
live at home, but not able to earn their own living, are
attending.
(28) In addition, there are weekly afternoon psychiatric club
meeting for old folk and three evening therapeutic social clubs
for younger patients. There are two sessions weekly for evening
group psychotherapy and facilities for a twice weekly meeting of
the local branch of "Alcoholics Anonymous".
(29) It is understood that the Warlingham Park Hospital Management
Committee intend to continue and expand these activities as
may be necessary and are now anticipating acquiring alternative
accommodation, which will allow the day hospital to accept 40 to
50 patients in place of the present 20 per day. It would appear
unnecessary, therefore, for the Corporation to duplicate any of
these services, but they will provide or accept financial responsibility
for day centres and social clubs meetings, where no
psychiatric treatment or nursing is given.