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MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Dr. W. H. G. Batham—Principal Medical Officer—Mental Health
Approval of Medical Practitioners
Two applications were approved under the Mental Health Act 1959 in respect of medical
practitioners having special experience of the diagnosis of mental illness.
Dr. Batham, Principal Medical Officer, joined the staff in May. He is approved under the
Mental Health Act 1959 as having special experience in the diagnosis of mental illness.
Psychiatric Services
The work in this field has continued to develop in close association with the social services
department and the hospital service with exchange of knowledge and discussions on both topics
and individual problems as they arise, including the prevention of mental ill health.
Weekly support is given to the staff and residents of Hayes Park Hostel and advice on mental
health problems is always available. A psychiatrist visits the hostel every four weeks to advise on the
psychiatric treatment of the residents in association with the Warden, Deputy Warden and the
Principal Medical Officer. A general practitioner attends the Hostel twice weekly and, in addition to
this, any emergency treatment which may be required. Close association with the Psychiatric Unit
at Hillingdon Hospital (In-patients and Day Hospital) was secured during the year by the attendance
of the principal medical officer on one session each week with Dr. Wiseberg and Dr. Freeman the
Consultant Psychiatrists at the Unit. This has given rise to a first-class opportunity for exchange of
ideas to provide the best service for the patients within the catchment area. Weekly contact is also
made with the senior social worker, psychiatric nurses, clinical psychologist, registrar and senior
house officers in psychiatry.
Advice is now given to students at Uxbridge Technical College by the Principal Medical Officer
(Mental Health) on psychiatric problems, personality disorders, or general difficulties of a
psychological nature through the student adviser.
Mental Subnormality
Health visitors pay regular home visits every six months to help and counsel the parents of
children under the age of sixteen years, and as a result of their reports the best available help is
obtained from the departments including the social services department. The communication
channels, co-ordination and liaison in this sector have progressed satisfactorily during the year.
Dr. Finn, the consultant psychiatrist at Leavesden Hospital undertakes consultations and domiciliary
visits in the Borough as requested. This system works very well and provides a good service.
Future Developments
The continued emphasis on community care for the mentally handicapped and also for the
mentally ill requires close co-operation and liaison with both the social services department and the
hospital services, and this has developed throughout the year. Planning for the present and long
term is vital for the service and medical administrators, community physicians and specialists in
community medicine should find a major role in the planning, monitoring and liaising with the medical
consultants, hospital service, social services department and voluntary organisations in order to
ensure the best service possible for the mentally handicapped and the mentally ill. The date set for
the unification of the N.H.S. 1 st April 1974 should lead to a new challenge in community medicine
including preventive medicine.
Moorcroft School for E.S.N. Pupils
Twice weekly visits during term time are made to the school by the Principal Medical Officer
to carry out routine medical inspections and I.Q. assessments. This affords opportunity to discuss
with parents the child's welfare and placement. The school nurse is very valuable in the special care
unit liaising between school, home and medical officer.
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