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52
The centre took part in the Handicraft Competition and Exhibition
for old people which was held in September, 1965, and one of the patients
won a first prize of £5. 0s. 0d. The centre also received a number of commendations
for work.
During 1965, thirty-four men and fifty-eight women were referred to
the centre; of this total twenty-seven were referred by general hospitals,
twenty-six by general practitioners, twelve by Old People's Welfare, twelve
by mental welfare officers, six by mental hospitals and nine by other sources.
The number of discharges during the year totalled thirty-seven, of
which fourteen were admitted to mental hospitals, seven to general hospitals,
six to welfare homes, five refused to continue to attend after a
short time, four improved or left the district and one transferred to the
old people's workroom. Also during the same period nine patients died.
The number on the register at 31st December 1965 was thirty-five
(twelve men and twenty-three women); of these twenty-four were attending
on five days a week and eleven for three days or less. There were also
seven patients awaiting admission.
In June approval was given to the London Borough of Brent being
offered ten places at the day centre, subject (i) to the demand for places
for Harrow residents and (ii) that they arrange transport for their cases
and pay a per capita charge. Similar approval was given in November to
the London Borough of Barnet being offered four places.
There were over 200 visitors to the Day Centre during 1965, including
visitors from Denmark and Barbados.
Brent Day Centre
The younger mentally ill patients from Harrow have at present to
travel to the Day Centre run by the London Borough of Brent at Belton
Hall, Bertie Road, Willesden, N.W. 10. This is a 30-place mixed centre
which was first opened in October 1962. The centre is staffed by a senior
occupational therapist in charge and two assistant occupational therapists.
A lunch is not provided, but there is a small kitchen which is used by the
patients for cooking mid-day snacks.
The centre is open five days a week (Mondays to Fridays) and provides
a place where patients well enough to live in the community, but not fit
enough to face the anxieties and strains of maintaining regular employment,
can attend and at their own speed and within a sympathetic atmosphere
begin to work out their problems and adjust their relationships with
other people. The aim is to stimulate the patients by creating an interest
in the work undertaken.
Patients are discharged when the doctor considers the patient fit for
part-time or full-time work, or when the patient feels that he or she wants
to return to work. The Disablement Resettlement Officer visits the centre
once a week and arranges interviews for the patients when they are recommendedfor
a course at the Industrial Rehabilitation Unit, a training scheme
or direct to work.