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52
MENTAL HEALTH
Set out in Appendix, page 120, are the proposals of the
Corporation under the Mental Health Act, 1959, as approved by
the Minister of Health. These show that within the scope of
previous legislation, much had been done in Croydon to unify
hospital and community care for the mentally disordered. The
Regional Hospital Board agreed to the Medical Superintendent of
Warlingham Park Hospital giving part of his time to the Corporation
on the basis of re-imbursement of an appropriate part
of his salary and this is now functioning.
Despite advertisements, we have so far failed to recruit a
suitable Senior Mental Welfare Officer, but two very promising
trainees have been appointed and are awaiting secondment to
suitable courses. New premises were secured adjoining the
Health Department and these have been converted to form a Mental
Health Centre. Here, are accommodated all Mental Health staff
working in the community, both hospital and local authority.
This Centre is not intended primarily for treatment of mentally
disordered persons, but for the co-ordination of administration
and as a Centre to which patients or relatives may apply at any
time for help and advice.
Premises for a temporary Adult Training Centre for subnormal
patients have been found and should be functioning early
in 1961. Plans for a permanent building to provide training and
workshop facilities for both mentally subnormal and mentally
disordered patients are being drawn up and it is hoped that
building will commence towards the end of 1961. A short-stay
Mental After Care Hostel for patients discharged from mental
hospital has been opened in Croydon and responsibility accepted
for ten beds. These are now gradually being filled in consultation
with the medical staff of Warlingham Park Hospital. Responsibility
has also been accepted for a growing number of
long-stay patients in voluntary hostels.
Arrangements have continued with the Guardianship Society,
who are supervising 14 severely subnormal patients placed in
their area. The promotion of good mental health through maternity
and child welfare services has continued, using the established
procedure of in-service training through group discussion. We
have been fortunate in the assistance and leadership given by
the Psychiatrist of the Croydon Child Guidance Clinic.