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One such unit was established and the group is
made up of five female patients all of whom have
recovered from long psychiatric illnesses and are
now capable of normal employment in the community,
given appropriate accommodation and social support.
The group itself which was carefully selected
affords some support, but a weekly meeting with
mental welfare staff gives further help and supervision.
The unit has run very satisfactorily and
all the residents have remained well and in work.
The house is rented from the Housing Department who
maintain the property and the group is supervised
by the Boarding Out Officer.
(c) Voluntary Homes
In addition to the 12 patients placed with the
Guardianship Society, 10 patients are placed in
homes under the Mental After-Care Association, two
having been admitted during the year and one having
left. One patient is placed in a voluntary home for
the mentally subnormal. The Corporation has accepted
financial responsibility in all these cases,
subject to contributions according to means.
Social Work
The social work service for mentally disordered patients
provided jointly by Warlingham Park Hospital and the Local
Health Authority has been further developed during the year.
There has been no increase in staff, and in the latter half
of the year there has been an effective reduction of two social
workers - one having left the service and another being seconded
for a period of training. Despite this the number of active
cases carried has continued to increase as has also the rate of
referral of new cases to the social workers. Figures illustrating
these trends are shown below.