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43
Residential Care
(i) Temporary Care
Arrangements have been made for short term care of 37 mentally
subnormal patients in hospital during the year, convalescent holidays
have been arranged for 8 patients.
The provision of temporary care for patients recovering from mental
illness continues to be made through the Mental After-care Associations
hostel in Croydon.
(ii) Long Term Care
(a) Boarding Out Scheme
During 1966 a further 36 patients have been placed in
lodgings through the Scheme. Of these 21 were still in lodgings
at the end of the year, 12 had moved on to other accommodation
and 3 had been re-admitted to hospital.
This Scheme continues successfully and attracts increasing
interest from areas outside Croydon and even from overseas. It
depends for its success to no small extent on the care and support
given by the Mental Health staff concerned, particularly the
Boarding Out Officer, but more important on the enthusiasm and
unfailing good will of the many landladies and families who by
providing a home for patients have helped so much in this recovery
and rehabilitation.
(b) Small Group Homes
The first small group home established by the Corporation
continues to run satisfactorily, and in 1966 a second home for 7
patients was opened. Tribute is due to the Croydon and District
Society for Mentally Handicapped Children for their very generous
help and enthusiasm in helping to provide this home. It has
already proved its value in providing a secure home for mentally
handicapped girls in the community.
Social Work
During 1966 five qualified experienced members of staff left the
Service mainly for domestic reasons or because they obtained more
senior posts elsewhere. It has not been possible to replace them all,
though recruitment at junior levels is easier and the number of trainee
social workers is fully up to strength.
The demand for social work assistance in all parts of the Mental
Health Service remains extremely heavy and despite the staff losses,
the caseload carried has remained fairly steady over the year. There
were 1,107 open cases at the end of 1965 and 1,131 at the end of 1966.