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associated with the initial planning of this project and the officers
of the Health Department and the Inner London Education Authority
endeavoured to ensure that the change of responsibility in no way
affected the programme of construction.
The Health Department was able to pass over to the Social Services
Department the programme for new mental health establishments which
had been agreed by the Council as part of the future building
programme. These were a new purpose-built Adult Training Centre and
Psychiatric Day Centre at Albion Road, N.16, two hostels for mentally
subnormal children at King's Crescent, N. 4, and a hostel for the
mentally ill at Shellgrove Road, N.16. The first two were programmed
for completion in 1972, the latter for 1974. All these will fulfil a
pressing need in the care of Hackney patients.
Liaison Committee
The Mental Health Liaison Committee which had been formed in 1969
continued to meet throughout the year. The Chairman was a Principal
Medical Officer of the Health Department, the members comprising consultant
Psychiatrists, hospital nursing staff, a senior nursing officer
of the Health Department, social workers, representatives of the
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association, and a representative of local
general medical practitioners. Because of the change of emphasis brought
about by the creation of the Social Services Department, it was decided
during the year to form a small additional Liaison Committee composed
of senior staff. This second committee was known as the Mental Health
Policy Group and first met in August. The permanent members were the
Medical Officer of Health, the Director of Social Services, Mr. Wilder
of P.R.A. representing the voluntary associations, three consultant
psychiatrists and a general medical practitioner. The Medical Officer
of Health was elected Chairman and the Principal Medical Officer
concerned with mental health was elected Secretary. The Policy Group
met at 3-monthly intervals between meetings of the Liaison Committee
and discussed matters of policy.
Approval of Medical Practitioners
During the year the names of 2 medical practitioners were approved
by the Health Committee for the purpose of Section 28(2) of the Mental
Health Act, 1959.