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Health Service hospitals and 6 in voluntary
homes.
Heston Day Centre
This centre for confused elderly people ran
very successfully throughout the year. Because
of the growing demand, the number of places
was increased in April from 30 to 40 and by
the end of the year 58 old people needed the
service but more than half of them could be
admitted only on a part time basis.
An amenities fund was set up and some
profit from the occupational therapy activities
is paid to the fund which is used for outings
and entertainment.
A remarkable improvement is evident in
most of the patients after attending the
centre for a few weeks. Relatives are very
grateful for this service which enables many
old people to stay at home when otherwise
a geriatric hospital bed would ha/e been
required. Altogether 90 patients attended the
centre for some time during the year.
A number of well-wishers have assisted
invarious ways and their interest is greatly
appreciated, for instance a retired barber
comes in regularly to trim hair
Report by Chief Mental Welfare Officer
The continued development of Hounslow's
facilities for the mentally ill and the mentally
handicapped has shown that community care
can work and work very well The degree of
success depends naturally on quantity and
quality of resources, the degree of co-operation
and co-ordination obtainable, and maintaining
a reasonable balance between establishments
and manpower.
It is very gratifying to note that during
the year the number of admissions to
hospital fell dramatically from over 300 in
1968 to 190, It is hoped that this trend will
continue.
Geriatric admissions to hospital have
fallen mainly due to the sterling work of
Mrs Kenneally and her staff at the Heston
Day Centre and the close co-operati on given
by Dr Herridge and the social workers.
Dr Herridge's involvement with the
community services continues to increase
both in volume and value Social workers are
closely engaged with Dr Herridge in helping
to assess the needs of outpatients, possible
domiciliary visits, admission to hospitals,
hostels and their requirement of other forms
of care. The outpatient clinic at Hounslow
Hospital was at times in danger of being
overwhelmed and losing a great deal of its
value as a place for the rapid assessment
of psychiatric problems The social workers'
involvement has helped a great deal in
assessing priorities, keeping the waiting list
down to a reasonable level and making full
use of consultant's time by ensuring as far
as possible that prospective patients will
attend. Dr Herridge is invariably supplied with
a social history by the social worker which
saves interviewing time and facilitates
assessment
Dr Herridge's contact with local authority
services has proved invaluable. General
practitioners, mental health social workers and
various other bodies regularly seek and obtain
his advice, guidance and assistance His
sessions at the office are very profitable in
discussing mutual problems on the widest
range of mental health topics
In the autumn a local branch of the National
Association for Mental Health was inaugurated
thus officially becoming the responsible
parent body for 'The Friendship Club' which
had been started by a steering committee.
This club which meets every Thursday evening
at St Stephens Hall, Hanworth Road, Hounslow.
is a place for people who have had mental
illness but are not yet able to join other clubs,
for those who have difficulties in forming
personal relationships and are lonely and
isolated and considered to be at risk' to
mental illness Table tennis, billiards and
other games are available - a record player was
donated through efforts of the voluntary workers
who also run a refreshment bar Members of
the mental health staff attend and assist whenever
possible
We were very pleased to welcome two new
members of staff - Mrs Yates has a Certificate
in Social Work and was appointed as a senior
mental health social worker Miss Graham came
without experience of statutory duties, but was
soon able to take on the full range of duties
and was authorised' in August 1969
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