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Example. Case 1. Employment:
Woman patient admitted to Goodmayes Hospital suffering from malnutrition, exhaustion
and apathy. She was referred by a Health Department D.A.O. as in need of after-care by
Psychiatric Social Worker, and help with employment. At the time of the referral, patient
stayed in bed in a darkened room until 2 p.m. She was quite incapable of applying to the
N.A.B. or Labour Exchange, nor did she want to see her G.P. She was, however, able to keep
her weekly appointments with P.S.W. who, in close co-operation with patient's G.P., the Area
Officer of the N.A.B. and the D.R.O. of the Ministry of Labour, was able to rehabilitate
this patient. After 14 months of sustained work the patient, applied for a full-time job in
a factory found for her by the D.R.O. The patient has been working full-time satisfactorily
for the last 9 months.
Case 2. Housing:
Mr.J. was referred to P.S.W. for after-care in 1955 by Belmont Hospital. An urgent
request for rehousing was made by the psychiatrist. Mr.J., his wife and small child were
living in one room at his mother-in-law's house in an atmosphere of severe friction.
Although it was not possible to rehouse this couple until June 1957> P.S.W. together with
the Health Visitor, who supervised the wife and child, were able to prevent this family from
breaking down. Both these cases are being followed up at regular intervals.
As can be seen from the above cases, a satisfactory result was obtained by close
co-ordination of medical and social services.
Pre-care Service.
P.S.W. greatly welcomed the 17 referrals by the M. & C.W. section as well as the
35 cases referred by School Medical Officers.
Example. Mother and child relationship:
Mrs.G. and 5 year old Charles were referred to P.S.W. by a School Medical Officer.
The child had shown signs of destructive behaviour and was unable to concentrate at school
where the sohool teacher was not able to cope with him in a large group. Admission to a
home for maladjusted children was under consideration. When mother and child came to see
P.S.W. mother revealed that the child had reaoted badly to the marital dispute which had
ended in the father's sudden departure. Mother is a full-time factory worker, and when
she returned home she was quite unable to cope with the unruly child. Though the child
sensed the conflict, mother had never actually talked to him about her dispute with
father, nor mentioned father at all to the child.
Mother came for 12 weekly interviews. Guided by P.S.W.mother was able to tell
her child about her arguments with father, and also saw to it that the boy could meet
him again. When the case was followed up after 5 months, mother reported that Charles
is getting on well at school, and although he is still difficult, mother is able to
stand up to him.
Referrals from G.Ps.
These showed a very welcome inoroase over the previous year, and it is hoped that
an ever increasing number of G.Ps. will avail themselves of the services of the
Psychiatric Social Worker.
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