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function the provision of occupational therapy facilities as one of the processes in rehabilitation towards a
normal working existence and the achievement once more of economic independence. However since the early
days of the Centre's existence it has emerged that apart from Harrow providing its own similar facilities, the
psychiatric hospitals have increasingly provided day facilities for patients suffering from acute episodes with
generally favourable prognosis. Therefore the pathology of patients referred to the Centre for occupational
therapy in the community tended more and more to be of a chronic nature requiring long term attendance
at the Centre. It would appear therefore that in the light of these developments total successful rehabilitation
would become much more rare. The indications are strongly indicative of the need to keep the precise
function of the Centre constantly under review.
The statistics relating to the work of the Centre for 1970 were:—
Patients referred 92
Patients not taking up places offered 31
Patients admitted 61 (34 male, 27 female)
Patients receiving treatment at end of year 27 (13 male, 14 female).
In addition the Monday Afternoon Club for the more elderly mentally infirm provided for 16 members of
whom 8 on average attended each week.
Clubs for the Mentally Ill
The two clubs run in the Borough for the mentally ill continued in successful operation during 1970.
These are the "Gateway Club" which is held at Willesden Day Centre on Tuesday evenings and which
follows purely social pursuits, and the "Do-it-Yourself Club" held at the same venue on Thursday evenings
and which has as its main aim helping members to develop hobbies and other active interests so as to widen
and enrich what might otherwise be somewhat restricted lives. Both these clubs operate with the support of
occupational therapist and mental health social worker staffs. Each receives a small annual cash grant from
the Council.
Day Care for the Elderly Mentally Ill
As in previous years, the needs of this large group of patients have been only very partially met by
the few places (10) allocated to Brent at the Harrow Day Centre for the Elderly Mentally Infirm. These
provisions do not anywhere near meet the total needs among the aged and it is with much regret that I
had to accept that, on financial grounds, extension of this much needed service would have to be postponed
once more despite pressing needs, in the present situation.
Shenley Hospital
Close liaison between the professional officers of the Local Authority and of Shenley Hospital
continued on a variety of work, much of this concerned with continuity of patient management. The Hospital
attempts to provide this by encouraging their nurses to follow-up discharged patients and those on leave
from the ward to their home, but scarcity of nursing staff inevitably leads eventually to the handing over of
patients to community based workers, the domiciliary psychiatric nurse or the social worker. Improved
community services are reflected in the reduction of the number of beds. The accompanying tables show
the interesting fact that bed occupancy rates have decreased although the number of total admissions have
marginally increased during the 10 year period 1960/1970.
Beds Available Beds Occupied Total Admissions
31st 31st
Dec. M F Total Dec. M F Total Year M F Total
1960 821 1,334 2,155 1960 783 1,285 2,068 1960 485 704 1,189
1965 815 1,229 2,044 1965 780 1,254 2,034 1965 589 934 1,523
1970 774 1,046 1,820 1970 715 986 1,701 1970 638 939 1,577
It is striking to note many unoccupied beds when walking through the hospital wards as it is only a
very short while ago that many beds were dually used, i.e. new patients had to occupy those otherwise allocated
to patients on home leave. It could well be that the forecast need of only 150 acute psychiatric beds
for this borough by 1981 will prove to be accurate. It is proposed that by that date all Brent patients will
be accommodated at the Central Middlesex Hospital psychiatric unit and Shenley Hospital beds will become
available to patients from other North London boroughs who now have to be admitted to hospitals in the
Epsom area which are much further from their homes.
League of Friends of Shenley Hospital
As in past years, the Brent Branch (of the League of Friends of Shenley Hospital contributed
generously to the comforts of ex-Shenley patients in the community. Christmas gifts for the residents at 73
Wembley Park Drive and "Brentholme" Hostels, and donations of money towards the Christmas activities at
the "Gateway" Club, Bertie Road, were very much appreciated by residents and patients.
The Branch also made valuable contributions to some of the League's major projects for the
benefit of patients in Shenley Hospital, projects such as providing an extension to the Alpha Club in the
way of a games lounge and a new library besides, providing extra ward facilities, holidays and Christmas
parcels for patients.
Coaches for the benefit of visitors to Shenley continue to operate once a month from Harlesden
and Willesden.
In addition the Edgware Council of Churches has sponsored a coach to convey relatives from that
area on one Sunday per month.