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MENTAL HEALTH
It is the duty of a local health authority to provide mental health services
under the Mental Health Act, 1959, and subject to the provisions of Section 28
of the National Health Service Act, 1946.
The shift of emphasis from hospital care to community care, introduced by the
Mental Health Act, is a continuing process, and coupled with an ever-increasing
incidence in mental ill-health constitutes a growing demand for these services.
MENTAL ILLNESS
The London Borough of Enfield is within the catchment area of Claybury
and Friern Hospitals which admit patients requiring hospital treatment for mental
disorder. The North Middlesex Hospital also provides psychiatric beds to which
suitable patients can be admitted for short periods for medical observation and
treatment. During the year the psychiatric unit was moved to other premises in
the hospital, which had been modernised and re-equipped.
Out-patient clinics are held at the North Middlesex, Chase Farm, Highlands
and the War Memorial Hospitals.
A 24-hour mental health community service is provided throughout the year
by the Council.
Domiciliary Service
Persons who are, or have been, suffering from mental disorder are referred
from a number of sources to the Health Department for care and support in their
own homes. In many cases it is found that not only the patient but also his family
requires support. The majority of the cases are referred by general practitioners,
who recognise the early symptoms of emotional and psychiatric disorders. Psychiatric
help and advice given by the mental welfare officers, sometimes coupled with
out-patient psychiatric treatment, often enables the patient to remain in the community
and prevents the necessity for his admission to hospital. A special arrangement
exists whereby emergency out-patient consultations at the North Middlesex
and Chase Farm Hospitals can be arranged in a matter of hours.
A social history provided by a mental welfare officer on a patient attending
out-patient clinic for the first time is desirable. An arrangement exists only with
the North Middlesex Hospital for the referral of patients to us for this purpose and
57 new cases were referred during the year. It is hoped that with an increased
establishment of mental welfare officers next year, it will be possible to extend
this service to other hospitals.
The demand for psycho-geriatric admissions for elderly confused patients
remained high and there has been some delay in arranging such admissions.
Domiciliary assistance was provided for the patient and his family during the
waiting period.
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