View report page

51
Frequent discussions, both formal and informal, continue to take
place between the medical and social work staff of both Shenley Hospital
and this Authority regarding the patients' problems and their future
placement.
Approximately 41 visitors were shown over the hostel during the
year.
Non-Maintained Hostels.—During the year 9 patients were placed in
other local authorities or voluntary associations hostels as it was felt to be
in the patients best interests to do so. At 31st December, the number of
patients still so placed was 7.
Boarding-Out Scheme—Under this Scheme those mentally disordered
patients who are considered suitable for such accommodation are found
suitable lodgings or foster homes. However, the Social Worker responsible
for the operation of the Scheme resigned in December, 1965, and it was,
therefore, decided that the mental welfare officers should take over the
responsibility for finding suitable accommodation for those patients
recommended under this Scheme. At the beginning of the year there were
only two patients from Harrow boarded out in this way and during 1966
only one patient was actually placed in such accommodation and three were
discharged, of these, one was re-admitted to Shenley Hospital, one was
transferred to a Council flat, and the Ministry of Social Security took over
financial responsibility for the third case. At the end of the year there
were no cases placed under this Scheme for whom the local authority was
financially responsible.
Day Centre for the Elderly Mentally III.— During the year 117
patients (80 women and 37 men) were referred for admission to this Centre.
Of this total 38 were referred by general practitioners, 7 by mental hospitals,
30 by social workers, 31 by general hospitals and 11 from other sources.
The number of patients discharged from the Centre during the year
totalled 44, of which 16 were admitted to mental hospitals, 14 to general
hospitals, 3 to welfare homes, 7 refused to attend after a short time, 4
improved or left the district. Also during the same period 7 patients died.
Eight patients from the London Boroughs of Brent and Barnet were
admitted to the Centre.
The number of patients on the register at 31st December, 1966, was
53 (19 men and 34 women), and 6 patients were awaiting admission.
In order that consultant psychiatrists, general practitioners, social
workers, etc., can have some degree of privacy when interviewing patients
at this centre, one of the workrooms was partitioned off" during the year
to form a Treatment/Interview room. Prior to this work being carried out
such interviews or treatment took place in the Supervisor's Office, workrooms
or dining room.