Ennals Errant

Christian Action recently published a 'league table' of local authority performance in providing after-care hostels for those discharged from hospitals for the mentally ill. So far, since the 1959 Mental Health Act, only about 2,500 beds have been provided for the whole of England and Wales. (15) headed the provincial league with Lewisham (20) taking first place in the metropolitan league. The most disturbing feature, however, was the number of major cities providing no mental after-care hostels at all-including Birmingham, Liverpool, Notting-Of course these figures do not tell the whole story. They omit the hostels and homes run by voluntary organisations. It is, in fact, very difficult to get a comprehensive picture of local authority mental health services. So the NAMH is sending a questionnaire to all Directors of Social Service and we shall eventually publish the results. Public attitudes I continue to get evidence of successful attempts by vocal protesters to stop the development of psychiatric hospital units and after-care hostels. Very recently Liverpool City Council said 'No' to an application to convert a large house standing in its own grounds into a Richmond Fellowship hostel. Such a hostel is urgently needed in Liverpool. There are over 300 patients whose homes are in Liverpool who could be discharged from hospital immediately if accommodation were available in the community. It emphasises the importance of-the MIND Campaign in challenging public indifference and antagonism. No doubt those who objected are a fair cross section of British opinion and if challenged would agree that homes and hostels were needed, 'But not in our area, please. Anywhere, but not here'. Reminiscent of the attitude of those who built our great Victorian mental hospitals way out in the countryside. The Immigration Bill Most people did not notice a clause in the Govern-ment's new immigration bill which extends to 'non patrial' Commonwealth citizens the existing power to send from the country aliens who are under treatment in hospitals for mental illness. It was brought to the notice of the NAMH that some immigrants were frightened of being admitted to mental hospital for fear that this would be the first step to repatriation. We are now urging Mr. Maudling to change Clause 30 so that no one could be required to return home unless it was clearly in their own interests to do so. MIND Campaign In many towns plans are now well advanced for MIND Week …