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Prevention of Illness, Care and After-Care work in relation to Mental Health.
The Work of the Psychiatric Social Worker (P.S.W.)
The P,S.W. commenced with a load of 15 cases in March 1955- During the first months
the main work consisted of establishing and renewing contacts with mental hospitals and general
hospitals of the area; also with health visitors, social and welfare workers. These efforts
led to many new referrals, and the case load showed a steady increase. By December 1955. 150
cases were on the register.
After Care Service.
At a conference held at Goodmayes Hospital in May 1955, between the psychiatrists, the
Deputy Medical Officer of Health, and the Psychiatric Social Workers of Goodmayes Hospital
and West Ham, it was decided that the after care service to be carried out by the West Ham
P.S.W. should be a selective one.
Not all patients discharged from hospital are in need of after care by a P.S.W.
However, where after care has been recommended, she often sees a patient for a fairly long
period ranging from one month to one year or more.
Reports of the P.S.W's interviews with former Goodmayes patients are sent to her
colleagues at Goodmayes Hospital, Further she attends case conferences at Goodmayes Hospital
twice monthly, when an opportunity is given to her to discuss cases of patients now in her
care, and also to inform herself of the progress of patients for whom she has been responsible
and who are at present undergoing treatment at the hospital.
In addition to this work, she meets the psychiatrists from Goodmayes Hospital at their
out-patient clinics held at St.Mary's Hospital. At these clinics she may introduce to the
psychiatrists, on behalf of general practitioners, patients who have been referred to her in
order to obtain an expert opinion and also to obtain recommendations as to further action.
She is also able to ask the psychiatrists to review the case of an after care patient
who shows signs of deterioration or she may meet out-patients prior to their admission to
Goodmayes Hospital, to obtain a social history, and also to discuss vital problems such as
care of children and financial problems arising from the patient's hospitalisation.
In reviewing the work done during the period of 10 months, the best results obtained
were those of patients seen over a fairly long period prior to, during and after hospitalisation.
Many of these cases are known to other workers of the Department, especially Health Visitors,
Duly Authorised Officers, the Home Help Organiser, and outside workers such as Probation
Officers, Children's Officers, and the N.S.P.C.C., and it has been found to be of the greatest
importance to keep in touch with these workers while the patient is In the care of the
Psychiatric Social Worker.
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