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Voluntary Associations.
No duties are delegated to Voluntary Associations,
Training of Staff.
The Duly Authorised Officers attend Goodmayes Hospital occasionally for talks and
discussions.
Prevention, Care and After-Care.
The social care of people with psychological problems continued during the year, but
unfortunately on a reduced scale, as the Psychiatric Social Worker employed by the Council
left the service in June, and at the end of the year, efforts to replace this officer had
been unsuccessful.
Pre-care and after-care patients attending the Psychiatric Out-patient Clinic are
visited by the Psychiatric Social Worker employed at Goodmayes Hospital, as also are oases
who on discharge from the hospital are considered to be in: special need of social care. A
few selected after-care cases are referred by the hospital to the Duly Authorised Officers.
Two sessions are held weekly at the Psychiatric Out-patient Clinic in the borough.
This clinic is controlled by the Physician Superintendent of Goodmayes Hospital, and his
staff. Early referrals to the clinic by general practitoners, and by the Duly Authorised
Officers, after consultation with the patient's doctor, are often the means of preventing
a complete breakdown.
The Council's Psychiatric Social Club continues to meet once a week. The membership
remains small, but there is no doubt that the club has proved of value for different types
of people. In the informal and friendly atmosphere of the club, the quiet and timid member
soon overcomes any reluctance he might have for entering into its activities. Close friendships
have been formed and all members feel free to discuss any problems they may have with
the officers attending the club. The members elect their own Committee. This Committee with
the guidance of the officers, plan the activities of the club which include games, dancing,
socials etc.
Lunacy and Mental Treatment Acts.
The arrangements for obtaining the services of the Duly Authorised Officers are
unchanged^ A twenty-four hour rota system is operated by the three male officers; calls
for their services after normal office hours being made through the Council's Ambulance
Control.
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