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19. MENTAL HEALTH
The Council is responsible under the Mental Health Act, 1959, for the provision
of community care for the mentally ill and the mentally subnormal.
Mental Illness
Social Work
A large part of the support which the mentally ill living in the community
require is provided by the borough's 11 mental health social workers who are also
responsible for certain legal aspects of the compulsory admission of patients to
hospital. A 24-hour service is provided.
Greenford Mental Health Centre
An important addition to the Council's supporting service was made when the
Greenford Mental Health Centre was opened in December 1967. It accommodates
between 25 and 30 people and is a therapeutic and social day centre. In addition to
day activities it is planned to have a social club in the evening.
In order to attend, a psychiatrist's recommendation is necessary and patients
include both those discharged from hospital and those whose attendance it is hoped
will prevent admission to hospital. There is a close link with psychiatrists from
catchment hospitals, general practitioner and social workers.
There is a well equipped kitchen, and as part of the rehabilitation programme
patients go to nearby shops to buy provisions and then cook their own mid-day meal.
Women patients are advised on make-up and hairdressing, and there is a hair drier
at the Centre. This service is much enjoyed and the improved personal appearance
helps to restore self confidence.
An occupational therapist organises such activities as needlework, woodwork,
typing etc., and one of the first activities was to make curtains for the Centre. Both
men and women patients participated in this.
Although the Centre had only been going for a few weeks at the end of the
year, an encouraging start had been made, 9 patients being on the roll. Many ofthese
had up till then done nothing more than stay in bed all day without even being able
to summon the initiative to get up and go out.
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