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South Ockendon Hospital for the mentally handicapped, due to government policy, has until
recently been obliged to suspend all admissions both of children and adults. This has thrown a
heavy burden on the resourcefulness of staff of the Mental Health Department in making alternative
arrangements and we are grateful to other hospitals who have helped us during this emergency
period. Nevertheless, shortage of beds remains a serious lack for the mentally handicapped and
their families who are often subjected to intolerable strains at home.
Additional areas of work
These include:-
(1) A Young People's Consultation Service which was established 3 years ago to care for
those whose needs were not met by adult psychiatric services and who were not
suitable for attending the Child Guidance service. Young people are encouraged to
approach this service directly or are referred by their family doctor or educational
establishment. More than one married couple has been referred to the service and the
majority of cases has been concerned with problems of interpersonal relationships.
(2) Handicapped Children - Mental Health Social Workers are attached to the Development
Clinics, to the two Junior Training Centres, to the two schools for the educationally
sub-normal children, and to the Elizabeth Fry School for the physically handicapped,
and case loads are built up for long-term counselling of families and Mental Health
Social Workers share with Health Visitors, Medical Officers and Teachers in the care
and planning for the children. Representatives of all the disciplines employed in
the Mental Health Service are also directly concerned either by consultation or by
offering treatment.
(3) Mentally Handicapped Adults - These people are not a statutory responsibility of the
Health Department under present day legislation if they and their families can
manage their own affairs efficiently, but at a time when there is stress because of
changes in circumstances or demands made upon them, supervision and casework help
may be offered in conjunction with Adult Training Centre staff and the same special
attachment of Social Workers and opportunities for discussion and consultation
exist as in the area of handicapped children.
(4) Therapeutic Social Clubs - The department runs two of these which are held weekly at
the Community Care Centre. Independent activities are encouraged as well as the
provision of opportunities for social contact. The Phoenix Club has for several
years, with the help of the Social Workers concerned, organised its own summer
holiday and this has proved both popular and successful.
(5) Liaison with Children's Department and Probation Department - This is a function
mainly concerned with the Child Guidance Clinics. In addition Mental Health
representatives attend the co-ordinating committee of the local authority and have
participated in schemes such as those designed to help families with multiple
problems, or the problem of battered babies.
(6) Special links with several group practices of family doctors have been established
by individual Social Workers. These have proved helpful in enabling referrals to be
made at an early stage and for promoting the fullest co-operation and use of the
whole range of Mental Health Services.
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