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MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE
The Borough is responsible for the implementation in its area of the Mental Health Act,
1959, and has under its care mentally sub-normal and mentally ill persons in the Borough who are
in need of support.
In this first year community care visiting and advisory services were organised and close
co-operation established with hospitals and all organisations within the Borough associated with
mental health.
Progress in the care and rehabilitation field was, however, limited by lack of facilities.
At 1 April no day centres or hostels existed within the Borough, and patients requiring such services
had to attend establishments situated outside the borough area.
THE MENTALLY ILL
At the end of the year there were 254 mentally ill persons receiving community care, and
during the year 235 patients were admitted to hospital with the help of the Mental Health Social
Workers for observation or treatment.
As the borough has no day centres or hostels of its own, arrangements were made for 12
patients to attend day centres in other parts of London and 59 were admitted to or continued to be
maintained in a variety of hostels. Most hostel places were, in fact, found by the hospital treating
the patient and were selected because of the particular contribution the hostel could make to the
welfare of the patient. Regular support was given to patients and their relatives, and in a number
of cases intensive casework was undertaken by a mental health social worker. Children leaving
maladjusted schools were followed up by social workers.
A weekly therapeutic social club was started and is beginning to show considerable
success in encouraging patients, previously chronically unemployable, to return to work.
THE SUB-NORMAL
At the end of the year there were 302 sub-normal or severely sub-normal patients receiving
community care. For the under 5 year olds a special clinic was held monthly for counselling and
advising mothers, and accommodation at the special unit at the Corams Garden Day Nursery was
increased from 6 to 9 children. In the north of the Borough the Camden Society for Mentally Handicapped
Children opened a nursery unit in private accommodation, taking another 9 children. The
Council's medical officers and mental health social workers have kept closely in touch with this
activity which is financially supported by the Council.
Junior training centres in Kensington and Chelsea and Hackney provided places for 22
Camden children between the ages of 5 and 16 years, and three children unable to attend training
centres due to physical handicap received home teaching. Thirty children leaving E.S.N, schools
were followed up by social workers
Selected adults attended training centres in other boroughs. All the trainees were given
the option of being included in an organised holiday for two weeks at St. Mary's Bay, Dymchurch,
and 15 participated. Families of sub-normal patients were visited regularly and given guidance,
advice and support in the care of the sub-normal. In addition, practical help was provided in many
cases, e.g. home help, transport to training centres or nursery units, as well as provision of short
term care to allow families some relief, or long term care when considered necessary. 21 cases
received short term care and 26 long term care in hospitals and approved homes.
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