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Both patients and staff have sorely missed the invaluable advice and guidance of
Dr. Alfred Torrie, consultant psychiatrist, who died in April. Dr. Torrie was a valued
member of the clinical team at the Kings Road Clinic and the Maddison Clinic at Ted'
dington. He also held a very lively group discussion at the Day Clinic.
Day Clinic
The Day Clinic at Stanley Road continued to provide a special day each week for
a small number of very disabled people who attended the Maddison Clinic and were
considered to need more frequent support. The nature and cause of the disablements
varied greatly, but all had much difficulty in getting about and thus were liable to be
lonely, introspective and even depressed.
Remedial exercises were an important part of the programme, supervised by a
physiotherapist who also gave individual treatments. Health visitors advised on matters
of weight, diet and food values, and also wise shopping to ensure maximum benefit for
individual needs.
Mental stimulation was equally important and, following Dr. Torrie's death, one
of my senior medical officers held discussions on topics of general interest. Everyone was
encouraged to participate and the exchange of views proved rewarding. On occasion an
outside expert was invited to join the group to answer questions following a particularly
created discussion.
Tutors from the Richmond Adult College held special occupational classes and films
on a wide variety of subjects were shown. All these provided a balance to the day's programme
and were popular.
Older People in the Community
Liaison work in the community for the benefit of the senior citizens continued, both
with colleagues in the hospital service and with the family doctors. My thanks are due
to Dr. Phyllis D'Netto, consultant geriatrician at Kingston Hospital and to Dr. J.
Andrews, consultant physician to the geriatric service at West Middlesex Hospital for
their co-operation during the year.
Close links were maintained with other departments such as the Social Services
Department and the Housing Department and with the very many voluntary associations
so that continuity of care could be given. Communication remained one of the key words
where the welfare of the elderly were concerned, to ensure that there were neither gaps
nor unnecessary overlaps in the total service. It is to be hoped that with the strengthening
of the bonds between all agencies the elderly may become more aware of existing services
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