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MENTAL HEALTH SOCIAL WORK
Report by Dr. GEORGE SOMERVILLE, M.D., D.P.M.
Medical Superintendent, West Ham Hospital for Mental and
Nervous Disorders
NEW PATIENTS. Patients admitted to Hospital have
been seen, with a view to helping them to settle any outstanding
practical problems, and by an exchange of messages
with their relatives, tiding over the gap before they have their
first visit.
Home visits have been made, to obtain a social history.
This initial visit proves useful in giving advice concerning
practical problems and also in alleviating emotional stress.
Apart from natural distress following the patient's removal
to hospital, there are often doubts and fears in the minds
of the relatives, and perhaps feelings of guilt about the way
they have handled the patient and his difficulties, which call
for a good deal of reassurance. This visit, too, may be the
first stage of preparation for the rehabilitation of the patient
and his relatives, when future prospects of work, methods of
handling, etc., can be lightly touched upon.
PATIENTS IN HOSPITAL. Various problems have
been dealt with during the patients' stay in hospital. These
include matters relating to finance, housing, pensions, and
also problems arising out of unsatisfactory family relationships,
failure to visit, etc., where it has been necessary to see
relatives and gain their co-operation.
DISCHARGE AND REHABILITATION. Thirteen men
and 4 women have been found employment through the
Disablements' Rehabilitation Officer. Of these, 3 homeless
men were found jobs where they could live in workmen's
camps and another was found accommodation by his
employer. One man was sent to a Government training centre
on a plasterers' course; another went to the Egham Rehabilitation
Centre for six weeks. On the advice of the doctor
and request of 1 female and 6 male patients, former employers
were contacted, difficulties explained, and requests for reinstatement
on lighter work conceded. Three juveniles were
helped through the Juvenile Employment Bureaux. Two
girls were engaged as general maids with suitable families,
following preliminary investigations and interviews at the
Hospital. One female patient, without friends or relatives,
unwilling to go into domestic service and not considered well
enough to lead an entirely independent life, was sent to a
Mental After-Care Association Home. Efforts were made to
deal with the various needs for clothing, housing, etc. Home
helps have been obtained for two patients about to be
discharged.
The value of careful preparations before discharge is
made more apparent by cases which arise from time to time,
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