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(b) Details of staff employed on mental health duties—see
detailed list of public health staff at beginning of Report.
(c) Co-ordination with the staffs and management committees
of Regional Hospitals is maintained to ensure the best treatment,
after-care and rehabilitation in appropriate cases. Discussions
on problems and methods of supervision in mental cases and
mentally defective individuals are frequent and most valuable.
Reports are promptly rendered on home conditions and progress
whenever asked for by the hospitals or institutions for cases on
licence or where fresh action is anticipated or visiting required.
(d) The National Association of Mental Health have been most
helpful in finding suitable accommodation and guardians, supervising
and visiting defectives and arranging holidays and transfers,
and it is proposed to continue soliciting their aid whenever
practicable.
(e) Since the N.H.S. Act came into operation, the Petitions
Officer and three of the Duly Authorised Officers have attended
courses of training.
(ii) Account of work undertaken in the community.
(a) A considerable volume of evidence is accumulating of the
helpful work carried out by the Duly Authorised Officers and
psychiatric workers, with whom close liaison is effected, in connection
with the prevention of onset and recrudescence of mental
illness.
Sufferers are helped through the stresses and strains of individual
problems and domestic difficulties by the tact, understanding
and guidance of these officers. They are assisted to manage their
affairs and to obtain such financial aid as is possible.
Suitable cases are encouraged to attend the therapeutic club
and appointments are made for them whenever necessary to attend
hospital out-patient departments for psychiatric investigation and
re-assessment.
Every assistance is given in facilitating admission and transportation
of cases to hospital or institution.
Hostels are found for individuals where this kind of placement
is considered appropriate.
A certain amount of mental health education is also undertaken
by the duly authorised officers when occasion offers.