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15. 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. During the year a consultant psychiatrist from Springfield
Hospital was appointed for one session per fortnight to advise mental health social
workers.
Greenford Mental Health Centre
This centre has continued to provide a period of rehabilitation for patients making
the sometimes difficult transition from hospital to community life. Close links have
been established with the Disablement Resettlement Officer and the Industrial Therapy
Organisation who deal with matters of employment and rehabilitation. 57 patients
attended during the year.
Hostels
Although the borough has no hostel for the mentally ill, 23 patients are living in
other local authority hostels and those run by voluntary organisations. The Ealing
Association for Mental Health provides bed-sitting rooms for six women recently discharged
but not yet ready to settle in the community.
Hospitals
Ealing is served by three psychiatric hospitals:-
Springfield Hospital,
Upper Tooting - Ealing Area
Shenley Hospital,
St. Albans - Acton Area
St. Bernard's Hospital,
Southall - Southall Area
I have in previous reports referred to the difficulties caused by this division and
by the long journey to two of the three hospitals.
Voluntary Organisations
The Ealing Association for Mental Health has continued its valuable activities which
include a bus service to Springfield Hospital, shopping expeditions for in-patients, and
the organisation of the local Mental Health Week. Note has already been made of the
Association's bed-sitti*ng room accommodation.
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