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gradually to regain confidence in their abilities
and eventually become useful members of the
community again.
We are pleased to welcome Mr P D Charles as
Deputy Chief Mental Welfare Officer as
replacement for Mr A Duff.
There has been an increasing number of visits
by students from various agencies including
Chiswick Polytechnic, Bedford College, Probation
Service, Springfield Hospital, local colleges and
schools. They have undertaken periods of training
or observation varying from one day to two
months and it is anticipated that in the coming
year the number of students, particularly from
Chiswick Polytechnic and Bedford College, will
increase.
24 Wood Lane, Isleworth
The following report has been submitted by
Mr T V Jones, DSC, resident warden of the
hostel:—
'The hostel has now been admitting residents
for two years, and is well accepted in the
neighbourhood. We continue to give supportive
help to men and women recovering from mental
illness and to others suffering emotional
disturbances due to environmental pressures.
'Twenty-seven residents were admitted during
the year as against forty-two last year. Of this
number fifteen were admitted from hospitals,
eleven from their own homes and one from
another hostel.
'Twenty-five residents were discharged from
the hostel during the year. Of this number twelve
were returned to their homes or to the community
as being fit to fend for themselves once more,
seven suffered relapses in their illness and returned
to hospital, and six were discharged as being
unsuitable.
'Other London Boroughs have not made as
much use of the hostel this year as they did last.
Our own borough is responsible for twenty-five
residents admitted during the year. Southwark is
responsible for one resident and Richmond is
responsible for the other.
'One resident was specifically mentioned in the
last report as having returned to the hostel
following intensive treatment at the Henderson
Hospital. I am glad to report that this resident is
making splendid progress and plans to marry next
year. An 'internal' romance resulted in a
wedding during the year and the couple are now
living happily in the borough. Another resident
who 'married from the hostel' has recently
become the proud mother of a daughter. One
resident who left us during the year has recently
become engaged to a resident who left us during
the previous year.
'"I" feel that the strength of the hostel lies in its
atmosphere and the supportive concern that the
residents have for each other. I am always
particularly impressed by the way that a new
resident is welcomed, and made to feel at ease.
Dr Herridge has continued to give valuable weekly
psychiatric support during the year. This support
has been augmented by Dr W A Weller who has
been appointed Hostel General Practitioner and
who holds a weekly surgery at the hostel.
Mr Carey, Chief Mental Welfare Officer and also
his staff continue to give valuable support. A
recent feature of hostel life has been group
therapy sessions.
'The nature of the hostel has changed somewhat
since last year in view of the fact that the average
age has dropped considerably. A pleasing feature
has been the way that the young and the old
have blended, and have helped one another.
'In assessing the year's work, disappointments
have to be admitted but on the other hand there
have been pleasing and encouraging features, and
certain progress has been made.'
I am grateful to Dr Colin Herridge, MA, MB,
BChir, DPM, consultant psychiatrist for the
following report:—
Report on Hospital Psychiatric Services
'The Psychiatric Services provided by Springfield
Hospital and its associated out-patient clinics at
the West Middlesex & Hounslow Hospitals are
coming increasingly under pressure. Admissions
to Springfield rose to 375 in 1967. New patient
attendances at the weekly out-patients at
Hounslow rose to 117 and 673 follow-up
consultations were given. A formidable waiting
list of 8-10 weeks has built up for this clinic,
which in many ways makes a nonsense of 'acute'
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