London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
London County Council 1955
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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The following table gives details of the work carried out during the year at the four units:
| Brixton | Battersea | Earls Court | Woodberry Down | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of applications received | 163 | 72 | 90 | 180 | 505 |
| No. awaiting first interview at 31st December | 38 | 11 | 21 | 32 | 102 |
| No. interviewed and awaiting treatment | 6 | 23 | 18 | 9 | 56 |
| Number of patients | |||||
| In treatment at 1st January | 35 | 136 | 56 | 40 | 267 |
| New cases treated | 136 | 58 | 73 | 156 | 423 |
| Total | 171 | 194 | 129 | 196 | 690 |
| In treatment at 31st December | 133 | 45 | 50 | 82 | 310 |
| Discharged | 139 | 48 | 79 | 114 | 380 |
| No. of follow-ups | 7 | — | 20 | — | 27 |
| No. of home visits by psychiatric social worker | 15 | 14 | 7 | 47 | 83 |
| No. of school visits by staff | 38 | 78 | 114 | 105 | 335 |
| Disposal of patients | |||||
| Treatment completed | 52 | 20 | 33 | 47 | 152 |
| Transferred to other treatment | 12 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 23 |
| Further attendance impossible | 10 | 10 | 18 | 6 | 44 |
| Unco-operative | 59 | 16 | 19 | 46 | 140 |
| Placed or placement recommended | 4 | — | 3 | 5 | 12 |
| Taken into care | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 |
| Total | 138 | 48 | 79 | 113 | 378 |
| Closing status of completed treatments | |||||
| Improved | 46 | 16 | 30 | 40 | 132 |
| No change | 5 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 19 |
| Worse | 1 | — | — | — | 1 |
| Total | 52 | 20 | 33 | 47 | 152 |
Special boarding schools and residential establishments continued to be visited by
the Council's psychiatrists. It is ever more widely recognised that the separation of
young children from their families and homes create difficulties and problems of which
the psychiatrist has a particular and specialised knowledge and understanding. In the
course of their visits to the various establishments the psychiatrists give the staff general
advice and guidance on the management of difficult children, discuss points of general
interest and also examine individual children. It has been found that their advice and
help have been generally appreciated by the staff and have led to a better understanding
of the problems and needs of children deprived of a normal home life.
Psychiatric
services at
boarding
special
schools and
residential
establishments
The Lilian Baylis School, the first day school for maladjusted children in the County,
was opened in 1954, and much interest has been aroused in this experiment in the
education and treatment of maladjusted children living in their own homes. A psychiatrist
visits the school frequently and takes part in discussions and case conferences,
while care committee workers visit the children's homes. Even in the short time that
the school has been functioning its success has been evident.
Day school
for
maladjusted
children
It was round necessary in 1955 to appoint a part-time psychiatric social worker to
work at this school as many of the children were not under treatment at a child guidance
clinic and there was insufficient contact with parents. She has made a valuable contribution
towards the work of the school.
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