View report page

The field of after-care could not be fully covered until the appointment in
November, 1950, of a P.S.W. at the Hospital. Usually the West Ham P.S.W. is responsible
for the after-care of patients requiring support for a long time, or who were known to her
before admission and also of prospective members for the Psychiatric Social Club,
(2) The Psychiatric Social Club meets weekly. The present membership is small and
it has proved difficult to get new members to come along unless they were already well known
to the West Ham P.S.W. It is hoped to move the Club to more convenient, premises and there
is, at present, a shortage of equipment. Regular members do not usually need any aftercare
other than the social life of the Club where they can share their problems and where
their disabilities are tolerated. This helps them to gain confidence in themselves and
others which is essential for their rehabilitation.
(3) Mental Deficiency. The statutory supervision of mental defectives is carried out
by the Duly Authorised Officers. The P.S.W. however, was asked to visit with the D.A.Ofs
each defective in turn, so that she would have some knowledge of the cases. In addition,
from time to time the P.S.W. has been asked to visit in certain problems, e.g. the
provision of a holiday for a backward boy who was making excellent progress in employment
or in establishing a better relationship between an anxious mother and her backward child.
By arrangement with the Regional Hospital Board, Dr.Riordan has acted as Consultant
Psychiatrist to the P.S.W. and he and other members of the Medical Staff at Goodmayes
Hospital have always been ready to give advice. The P.S.W. has also been helped considerably
by the Staff of the Public Health Department and by the Co-operation of voluntary and
statutory social workers in the Borough.
STATISTICS.
Current Cases on 1st January, 1950 39
From 1st January, 1950 to 31st December, 1950
New cases referred
pre-care 28
after-care 49 77
Cases closed 58
Current Cases 58
Sources of Referral:
Voluntary Agencies 5
Whipps Cross Hospital 1
Maida Vale Hospital 1
Queen Mary!s Hospital 6
Chest Clinic
Goodmayes Hospital ifl
Disablement Resettlement Officers 1
London Hospital 1
Probation Officer 2
Patients themselves through various sources of information ... 3
Public Health Department
School Medical Dept 2
Home Help Service 1
Health Visitor 1
D A 0's 3
General Practitioners 3
Others
77
4