Old age psychiatry in Swansea

This new specialty has many advantages. It is particularly rewarding to those interested in local history, social and industrial change, and the history of the twentieth century. Our patients are survivors, people who have had long, often interesting, and sometimes distinguished lives, people who span the whole of the social spectrum. My only contact with an air vice marshall and a Bluebell girl has been as patients. I have also met the last rat catcher who worked at the local flour mill.

It is a specialty that bridges the divide between hospital and community. A large part of my time is devoted to the latter and there are many benefits. The key to good practice is unhurried assessment of patients in their homes. This approach, although time consuming, is clinically rewarding, and there are several hidden gains which are not obvious until you have worked in the specialty.

My only contact with an air vice marshall and a Bluebell girl has been as patients

The Easter weekend was wet and cold. Many areas had …