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MENTAL HEALTH
The responsibility for the Mental Health Service was assumed by the London Borough of
Hillingdon as from April, 1965. The aim has been to provide as far as possible a service not less
comprehensive than that previously in existence, and to improve it where possible.
The service will provide for the needs of the mentally disordered living in the community and
will make the service known to, and available to, those in need of it. In particular it will provide
Junior Training Centres, Adult Training Centres, home training, residential accommodation, Day
Centres, Social Clubs and a Home Visiting Service.
With the reorganisation of London Local Government, it was agreed that the new Boroughs
would take over responsibility for any existing establishments in their particular areas. In this respect
the London Borough of Hillingdon was fortunate in as much as it had a Junior Training Centre,
two Adult Training Centres, a Weekly Boarding Unit for subnormal and severely subnormal
patients and a 30-place Hostel for the mentally ill. The Borough also found itself with another 30place
Hostel for the mentally ill in the building stage. This meant that Hillingdon had good basic
facilities for mentally disordered persons, and it was possible to look forward to an expanding
and more comprehensive service.
Although the emphasis of the Mental Health Act, 1959, is on community care, there are
obviously some patients who will be in need of nursing care and treatment in hospital, but it is
extremely difficult to obtain a bed in a suitable hospital for them. The number of beds available for
this type of patient is too few to cope with applications; but this is not just a local problem but a
national one.
Community Care of the Subnormal and
Severely Subnormal, as from 1st April, 1965
Supervision in the Home
Many subnormal patients of all ages are able to live satisfactorily in the community; particularly
when they and their parents know that they are able to obtain assistance with their problems
from experienced social workers.
At the end of 1965 there was a total of 361 subnormal persons in community care, and the
visiting of these patients was being carried out by mental welfare officers (who deal with all cases
over sixteen years of age) and health visitors (who deal with all cases up to sixteen years of age).
This service is of great value, especially to educationally subnormal school leavers and young
adults in their effort to obtain and maintain employment in the community. Much depends upon
the attitude of the employer and fellow employees. Tactful help and encouragement and the finding
of suitable employment is essential if the handicapped person is to develop as fully as his capabilities
will allow.
In addition, a senior medical officer is available, by appointment, to see a patient or his family
to give advice, medical or psychiatric assistance.
Guardianship and Informal Foster Care
At the end of 1965 there were two patients under Guardianship and 17 under Informal care in
private homes.
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