[Report 1964] / Medical Officer of Health, Woking U.D.C.

  • Woking (England). Urban District Council.
Date:
1964
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1964] / Medical Officer of Health, Woking U.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    42/102 (page 39)
    MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES The reorientation towards community care as envisaged in the recommendations of the Mental Health Act of 1959, is steadily becoming an established part of the socio-medical services in the domiciliary field. The visiting of the mentally ill and sub¬ normal persons in the community and the provision of care and after care is undertaken through the Mental Health Officers and their social welfare through special Social Workers. Some of the work is at present undertaken by Health Visitors. These Officers endeavour to provide a personal service of advice and support for the patient and his family and so prevent, if possible, further mental breakdown, the need for admission or re-admission to Hospital, and to rehabilitate the patient to a normal life at home, at work and in the community. With suitable support and training, it is possible for even fairly severe menta1•disabi1ities to be overcome sufficiently to allow the patients to become independent, though many may require help throughout their lives. Subnormality and Severe Subnormality Investigation and registration of all new cases of subnormality and their community care or admission to hospital or guardianship, is undertaken in conjunction with one of the specialist medical officers on the staff of the County Council. The Physician Superintendent at Botleys Park Hospital, Chertsey, is most helpful in seeing various patients by appointment and close co-operation has been built up in this way between the Hospital Authorities and the Officers of the local health authority. Gratitude must also be expressed for accommodation offered by the hospital for short term placements to relieve relatives, or in the case of an emergency arising in the family. Training Centres and Adult Special Work Units The object of the Training Centres is to help children to develop in mind and body as much as their condition allows. Training in good habits, in the development of special senses, fine movements and speech is given, creative activity with paints and crayon, physical activities, singing and organised games, go to make the pattern of the day. Not the least of the blessings to the parents is the rest it gives from otherwise unremitting care they have to give. Adult special work units for the older groups are gradually being organised. At present they are hampered by lack of accommodation. Woking subnormals attend training centres at Weybridge and Guildford and the special work unit at Guildford. Residential Accommodation Whenever possible mentally subnormal persons not requiring hospital treatment should live at home, but occasionally this is not possible. Sometimes a foster home or lodgings can be suitable but it may be necessary to provide special residential accommodation for certain groups. In Woking no such accommodation exists, as yet, but a 30 place hostel for adult subnormals is planned for 1969/74.