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45
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
The year 1965 has seen a number of important developments in
the Mental Health Services. These include the opening of a second
day hospital, the establishment of a sheltered workshop catering
for both mentally and physically disabled persons, the formal
establishment under the Local Health Authority of a single
social work team to serve the needs of mentally disordered
persons and their families and the opening of a mental health
office in the Purley and Coulsdon part of the Borough at 115,
Brighton Road. In addition to these particular features the year
has seen a general advance in the service on many fronts.
Administration
The Medical Officer of Health was in administrative control,
and the Deputy and two Assistant Medical Officers of Health were
approved for the purpose of the Mental Health Act, Dr. A. R. May
who was Psychiatric Adviser to the Local Health Authority and
the Medical Director of their Community Mental Health Services
was appointed as a Principal Medical Officer to the Ministry of
Health. Dr. J.D.W. Fisher, Consultant Psychiatrist at Warlingham
Park Hospital, succeeded Dr. May as Psychiatric Adviser and
Medical Director. Dr. B.W. Richards, Consultant Psychiatrist at
St. Lawrence's Hospital continued as Adviser in Mental Subnormality
to the Local Health Authority.
The continued successful operation and development of the
Mental Health Services depends on the help and co-operation of
medical colleagues, whether in hospitals or in general practice,
and I should like again to record my thanks to all of them for
their'continued willing support.
Voluntary Associations
The guardianship Society looked after eleven severely subnormal
patients on behalf of the Local Health Authority (9 under
guardianship and 2 placed informally).
The Mental After Care Association both through its temporary
stay Hostel in Croydon and through its long stay homes elsewhere
continued to give invaluable help to Croydon patients of whom
there were 35 in the care of the Association at the end of the
year.
The Mental Health Service continued to have close and
friendly ties with the Croydon and District Society for Mentally
Handicapped Children and it is hoped that these will now extend
eSociety continued to provide social club activities for severely
handicapped patients, and is currently helping in the establishment
of a small group home for mentally handicapped working
girls.