London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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West Ham 1952

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]

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for the loan of one of their officers part-time. This arrangement, which proved of
inestimable value in laying the foundation of care and after-care work, continued until
September 195O when a full-time Psychiatric Social Worker was appointed. The following
report of this officer shows how the work of this part of the service is developing.
Report of Psychiatric Social Worker-Miss L. Walton.
The social care of people with psychological problems began in 1949 when six
cases were transferred by the National Association for Mental Health to a Psychiatric
Social Worker whom they had loaned to the Council on a part-time basis, and by the end
of 1949, 52 cases had been referred by various social agencies. The work has increased
steadily, and in September, 1950, when a full-time Psychiatric Social Worker was appointed
she was able to start off with about 40 current cases. The attached figures show the
volume and type of work done over the last two years.
It was felt that the function of the Local Authority should be preventive, with
emphasis on the maintenance of health. Statutory and voluntary workers were contacted,
and they have been most co-operative and skilful in selecting the kind of cases which the
Psychiatric Social Worker is trained to help.
Most after-care patients are referred by Goodmayes Hospital, and the close link
between the Council and the Hospital has made a flexible scheme possible which is suitable
to the needs of the individual patients. Not all discharged patients need after-care, and
a systematic follow-up is not considered desirable. Usually the West Ham Psychiatric
Social Worker is responsible for the after-care of patients requiring support for a very
long period, due to their incomplete recovery or domestic problems. The Psychiatric Social
Worker also attends once a week at the Psychiatric Out-patient Clinic, and this establishes
some continuity for the patients, and also helps her to keep in touch with the more
clinical aspects of her work.
Although the pre-care referrals are somewhat smaller in numbers, they require very
much work. Some of these patients are in the very early stages of a mental disorder, but
are not yet ready to seek medical help. The majority are people with problems in personal
relationships, and if the Psychiatric Social Worker can help them through their difficulties
a breakdown may be avoided. The occasional case discussions with Dr. T.P. Riordan,
Deputy Superintendent of Goodmayes Hospital, have been of great assistance to the Psychiatric
Social Worker.
A Psychiatric Social Club meets once a week, and has proved to be of value for
different types of people. It can play an important part in the rehabilitation of discharged
patients who sometimes find it difficult to use their spare time after the more organised
hospital life. Pre-care patients often lead a lonely, frustrating existence, and club
attendance can be the beginning of a more outgoing life. Unfortunately, the Club continues
to be small, though the rather slow tempo and informal atmosphere help the timid member.
The small club encourages close friendships among members, and apart from a few cases the
Club and the individuals have benefited from this. At present, the Club is not suitable for
intelligent, neurotic patients.
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