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Whilst, ideally, it would be comforting to think that it is possible
for the Local Health Authority to be an effective link between the
hospital and families, in many cases this is simply not possible,
since the patients were admitted so long ago and have settled
in their hospital environment, and their relatives have come to accept
this position. However, in any case where one of the hospitals, or any
of the parents or patients require any help, this Authority gives it
through its Mental Welfare Officers.
It is important to bear in mind that, when the Authority is able
to acquire its own hostel accommodation, a number of these patients
who are suitable for hostel accommodation, will return to the community.
The actual numbers involved will, however, represent only a
small proportion of those in hospital, due to the tendency for long-term
care in hospital to render a subnormal patient unsuitable for life in
the community.
GUARDIANSHIP
There are no cases under guardianship in the Borough.
CASES BOARDED OUT
The Authority, at the end of the year, was making financial
provision for the boarding-out of eight patients. A particularly close
liaison is maintained with the two Cheshire Foundation Homes in the
district, and in addition to giving supervision to the Merton cases in
residence there, the Authority has undertaken supervision of patients
from other Authorities accommodated there, when requested to do so.
SHORT-TERM CARE
During the year, the Authority provided periods of short-term
care in eight cases.
SOCIAL WORK SECTION
The Authority continued the arrangements intitiated by the
Surrey County Council whereby Social Work staff are attached to the
Cumberland Hospital, Mitcham, to render assistance to the Chest
Physicians with both in-patients and out-patients afflicted with chest
diseases. This staff is housed in a suite of rooms adjacent to the Chest
Clinic in the hospital building and rented by the Authority from the
Hospital Management Committee. This staff is also (increasingly
concerned with case work on families at risk of break-up.
Cases are referred to the Social Workers by the Co-ordinating
Committee for the Prevention of Break-up of Families, and by the
Health Visitors. This Section is under the day-to-day control of a
Senior Medical Officer.
At the end of the year, the Authority's staff in this Section comprised:—
1 Whole-time Social Worker.
2 Part-time Social Workers (equivalent to one whole-time
Social Worker).
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