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The average number of hours service given per week throughout the year was 2679.
The average number of hours service given per week to each household throughout the
year was 9.75. On 31.12.49 there were 12 full-time Home Helps and 74 part-time Home Helps.
The full-time Home Helps work 47 hours per week. The average number of hours worked per
week by the part-time Home Helps throughout the year was 24.5.
A male Home Help was appointed in October, the appointment was temporary, but his
services were found to be of such value that the appointment was confirmed on a full-time
and permanent basis.
453 families received home help during 1949. Number of families on books at 1.1.49 =
100. Number of families on books at 31.12.49. 206 (excluding maternity cases).
Among the cases now running there is a large number, mostly old people, who suffer
from a permanent disability, and may require domestic help for a considerable time.
Applications received from tuberculous persons present a special problem, as it is
not always easy to find women who are both willing and suitable to work in these households.
14 such persons made application during the year and 12 received domestic help. In 10 the
service was given by a Council Home Help, while in the remaining 2 the applicants' mother,
(in each case a widow who had been going out to work) gave up her employment in order to
undertake the duties of home help.
SECTION 51 - MENTAL HEALTH.
The Mental Health Service has been administered by the Health Committee of the local
authority.
STAFF.
(a) Medical. The medical supervision, direction and administration is the responsibility
of the Medical Officer of Health, through his Deputy.
Ascertainment and medical examination of mental defectives is carried out by the
Deputy Medical Officer of Health, and by the Chief Assistant School Medical Officer, both
of whom have had considerable experience in this work. In addition two local general
practitioners, who are approved by the Ministry of Health, for the purpose of making recommendations
under Section 5 of the Mental Treatment Act 1930, are available when required.
(b) Lay. A senior Duly Authorised Officer (supervisory) and three male Duly Authorised
Officers, all of whom are experienced in mental welfare, carry out various duties under
the Mental Deficiency, Lunacy and Mental Treatment Acts.
The establishment of this service provides for a Psychiatric Social Worker, but owing
to the great shortage of suitably qualified persons, the Council's efforts to fill this post
were unsuccessful, until May, 1949. From this date an arrangement was entered into with the
National Association for Mental Health, for the loan of one of their Officers, part-time.
The services of this officer have proved very valuable especially in after-care work.
Clerical assistance for this service is provided, as and when required, from the
Health Department staff.
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