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CO-ORDINATION AND JOINT USE OF OFFICERS.
Arrangements have been made with the Regional Hospital Board for the Physician
Superintendent of Goodmayes Mental Hospital, and his staff, to be available for
ation and advice, when required, under the Lunacy Acts, and the Mental Treatment Act.
The Duly Authorised Officers visit and report on the home circumstances of Mental
defectives recommended for licence, and in cases where licence is granted they carry out
the supervision.
The Psychiatric Social Workers employed by the Council and at Goodmayes Mental
Hospital work in close co-operation.
VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATIONS.
The Council does not delegate any duties to voluntary associations, with the exception
of using the services of the National Association for Mental Health in the supervision of
a very small number of mental defectives under guardianship outside the area of West Han.
TRAINING OF MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS.
Although the Duly Authorised Officers are experienced in mental health work, arrangements
have been made for them to attend at Goodmayes Mental Hospital and other institutions,
for talks and discussions on the various aspects of their work.
PREVENTION, CARE AND AFTER-CARE.
The patients after discharge from mental hospitals are visited, where necessary, by
the Psychiatric Social Worker from Goodmayes Mental Hospital, or the part-time Psychiatric
Social Worker in the Health Department.
Patients and relatives are advised on how to avoid circumstances which might precipitate
another breakdown; and also on personal problems
Discussions with the Disablement, Rehabilitation Officer on the problems of employment
for the more permanently handicapped patient, usually result in finding them work of a suitable
nature.
The Psychiatric Social Club, operated from premises in the Borough, continued to
provide, in practical form, valuable after-care work. The Club which is held weekly, is
attended by patients referred from the Psychiatric Clinic, and from mental hospitals on
discharge etc,, and they greatly appreciate the help and guidance afforded them in semiring
social re-adjustment.
Great credit must be given to the medical staff and social worker of Goodmayes Mental
Hospital, and to the Council's Psychiatric Social Worker, for their untiring efforts in
conducting the club.
LUNACY AND MENTAL TREATMENT ACTS.
A twenty-four-hour rota system is operated by the three male Duly Authorised Officers;
calls for their services after normal office hours being made through the Council's Ambulance
Control.
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