View report page

The Development of the Mental Health Services
Particularly the Training of the Sub-normal
This service covers the whole range of mental disorders; the pre-care, care and after-care of the
mentally ill, the mentally sub-normal and psychopathic, and the support of the patient and his family will
continue for as long as it is considered necessary. This support in the community helps the patient to
function more effectively. The mental welfare officer carrying out this task has to use his discretion
and to ensure confidentiality in offering such personal service.
The Borough has established theclosestco-operation with the four mental hospitals which serve
the area and the Principal Medical Officer for Mental Health works as a part-time member of the medical
team at Claybury and North Middlesex Hospitals, which receive patients from Tottenham. The mental
welfare officers also attend at the various hospitals serving the Borough for case conferences and to
see referrals for after-care.
One useful function of co-operation which has been formed is the monthly meeting of the mental
welfare officers from this and other adjoining authorities, together with other welfare and social workers
from the catchment area hospitals for the mentally ill.
A 24-hour rota of mental welfare officers is maintained at all times throughout the year for emergency
calls.
The Borough is, unfortunately, divided between two Hospital Boards areas so that links have to be
established with twice the number of hospitals.
Hostels for Mentally III
Although at this juncture we have no hostel of our own, indeed, no premises at all in the mental
health field, we do, nevertheless, find placements in hostelsrun by other local authorities and by voluntary
organisations.
Hostels for Mentally Sub-normal
It is hoped to open a hostel for 16 sub-normal males during 1966.
Adult Training Centre
Although we have no Adult Training Centre at present, plans are well advanced for establishing
such a centre at 3ounds Green Trading Estate. This will include a laundry and workshop facilities for
80 trainees and should be ready for occupation in 1967. Meanwhile we use the Enfield Adult Training
Centre at which 69 Haringey residents attend.
Junior Training School
Again we have no premises of our own, but included in our first ten years' plans is the building of
a Junior Training School on the Broadwater Farm Estate, Tottenham. By arrangement with the London
Boroughs of Barnet and Enfield atotal of 75 Haringey children are trained in their Junior Training Schools.
Residential Accommodation - Long Term
In all - during the year 47 cases were maintained by this Authority in residential homes. For the
most part they reside in the Brighton and Hove area, where many are boarded out by the Guardianship
Society in private households, although we have children placed asfar away as Norfolk. These placements
are, in the main, for sub-normals, although, if necessary, the mentally ill could be similarly placed.
Social Club
During the year a Psychiatric Social Club was formed with the co-operation of Ferme Park Baptist
Church, in whose premises the club meets - by hospital social workers and Health Department staff. It
is hoped that during 1966 it may be possible to establish another similar club within the Borough.
54