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Staff continued to attend the various hospital clinics.
As the premises at the Centre are somewhat cramped financial provision was made in 1968/9 to
erect, furnish and equip a prefabricated extension and plans for this were completed at the end of 1968 to be
put into effect early in the new year.
Number of patients referred 1st January, 1968—31st December, 1968 71
(25 male, 46 female) (10 readmissions)
(In addition 18 patients were referred, but not accepted as suitable for the Centre or
for domiciliary occupational therapy)
Number of patients receiving treatment, 31st December, 1968 41
(12 male, 29 female)
Number of patients discharged 69
(29 male, 40 female)
Discharged to open employment 20
Transferred to Industrial Therapy Unit 3
Discharged home, rehabilitated to living within the community but not able to take up
employment and to be followed up by psychiatric social worker or mental health social
worker 24
Re-admitted to Day Centre 10
Admitted to Hospital 5
Left district 1
Transferred to Ealing Day Centre 1
Transferred to Barnet Training Centre 1
Transferred to Maybank Work Centre, Wembley 1
Transferred to Occupational Therapy, Shenley Hospital (Harrow Resident) 1
Died 2
Distribution of patients according to Boroughs: —
Admissions 1968:
Brent 58
Harrow 4
Ealing 4
Haringey 1
Lambeth 1
Westminster 1
Tower Hamlets 1
Barnet 1
71
Receiving Treatment
31st December, 1968:
Brent 35
Harrow 2
Ealing 2
Camden 1
Haringey 1
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Clubs for the Mentally 111
Clubs for the mentally ill have proved their worth since the first tentative beginnings in this field
some 10-15 years ago. One of the great dangers to mentally ill persons is withdrawal from the community
and unfortunately many people in a city live very lonely lives. If the nature of their breakdown is in any way
attributable to isolation, then a recurrence of mental illness can be expected after the patient's discharge from
hospital should an isolated way of life be resumed. Quite frequently, ex-patients can function reasonably well
at their workplace without forming such personal relationships as are needed to make them a well integrated
part of society. Unless positive forces in the home environment counteract the tendency towards isolation from
workmates, deterioration of the mental state can be expected. This dangerous situation can be modified by the
provision of clubs specially geared to meet the needs of such people. There is as yet no ideal model for these
clubs and it could well be that each type is serving a subtly different need. Many professional workers encourage
the attendance of ordinary members of the community (friends and relatives) as is done at the Brent
Gateway Club. Others concentrate more on professional participation, including highly skilled group therapists;
yet others function well with only minimal professional support. On the whole it would appear that the concensus
is, the presence of a certain number of professional workers proves most beneficial. A ratio of approximately
1:10 appears to be the optimum. It does not seem to be of great importance as to which category of
mental health worker attends so long as his personality is congenial to the club members. Mostly, of course,
mental health social workers are likely to be involved but occupational therapists, certainly at the Brent Club,
have proved a great asset. Even with the above staff-patient ratio Clubs are an economical proposition for the
after-care of the mentally ill, especially as not infrequently other than official funds are contributing to the
various activities, although a Council grant is a great help on special occasions such as the annual Christmas
party.