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The individual approach to children and their families is summarised in the Statistical
section of this Report.
New social developments in the approach of both teams to problems of health are amplified
on page
ADULTS AND FAMILIES CONTAINING A SUB-NORMAL MEMBER
Until June two Mental Welfare Officers, with much-appreciated help from their colleagues
in Redbridge, carried out all the statutory duties of the Mental Health Section. From July the
Senior and another Mental Welfare Officer, and the Senior Psychiatric Social Worker, joined the
staff, who then moved to 133, Dawlish Road, E.10 from the Municipal Offices.
This move provided more space, and made it easier for clients of the Section and their
families to come direct to the Officers. The Emergency Outpatient Clinic staffed by a Psychiatrist
from Claybury Hospital, also moved to the new premises. Probably one third of attendances at
this Clinic and first visits by Officers to clients' homes result in admission to Hospital, which
means that two-thirds of clients are maintained mainly in their own homes.
The Officers visit Hospitals (Claybury and Goodmayes Psychiatric Hospitals and Whipps
Cross General Hospital) and Social Clubs mainly for discharged patients (organised by the Waltham
Forest Association for Mental Health) at West Avenue Clinic and Harrow Green Library.
Until the 600 families containing a mentally-handicapped member can be visited, the
Officers keep in touch through the Training Centres and help the families through crises.
Co-operation with Hospitals and centres, other Social Workers in the Borough and General
Practitioners in the Area went on increasing through the year as Officers had more time to spare
from statutory duties.
The future of services for adults is considered in an Article elsewhere in this Report.
W.R.Little
Adviser in Psychiatry to the
London Borough of Waltham Forest
Chiropody
The amalgamation of the Boroughs' Chiropodial services has been achieved without any
noticeable disturbance to the patients or staff. This was due in some measure to the existence of
a working service in all three Boroughs, which was allowed to continue, except in Chingford where
a full service was introduced in place of the priority service, and to the fact that all our colleagues,
old and new, have been so helpful and friendly.
The service in Chingford is growing as the residents become aware of its existence,
Doctors, Clubs, Clinics and Welfare organisations have been advised, and we hope in the new year
to replace the two part-time clinics, with two full-time, by moving Marmion Avenue Clinic to The
Ridgeway, thus enabling us to have two full-time chiropodists, one at Hatch Lane, and one at The
Ridgeway.
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