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Joint arrangements between the London Boroughs of Southwark, Lambeth, and
Wandsworth for dealing on a shared basis with calls and emergencies outside normal
office hours continued most satisfactorily (see APPENDIX C). The male mental health
escort employed by Southwark continued to assist other Boroughs on a payment basis
and a total of 221 escort duties were undertaken by him.
During the year, eight Medical Practitioners were approved by the Council under
the Mental Health (Hospital and Guardianship) Regulations, 1960, for the purpose of
Section 28 of the Mental Health Act, 1959.
The Greater London Council continued to maintain the central index of mentally
disordered pefsons. Southwark, together with other Inner London Boroughs, utilized the
index and shared the cost of its maintenance.
Departmental officers concerned with mental health attended appropriate
conferences and meetings during the year. The Council continued its policy of
encouraging mental welfare officers to become qualified; one mental welfare officer
returned to duty during July having obtained the Certificate in Social Work and one
commenced a one-year course in September. In addition, two mental welfare officers
continued their period of secondment for the whole of the year.
The students detailed below were seconded to the Department for supervised
practical training and they stayed for various periods ranging from 2 weeks to 7 months
at different times during the year:
1 Bedford College
4 Croydon Technical College
1 Hillcroft College
1 Keele University
3 London School of Economics (Social Administration)
6 North West Polytechnic
1 Regent Street Polytechnic
Many visitors were welcomed from various parts of the British Isles and from
abroad to see the different aspects of the mental health services and establishments. Some
were short visits of inspection and others were longer and more detailed periods of
observation. Included among the visitors were doctors, medical students, nurses and
nursing students, social workers and students. In addition, talks about the mental health
service were given by the Chief Mental Welfare Officer and some of her staff at schools in
the Borough and to a variety of voluntary and statutory organisations.
Grange Tannery
A most important project in the field of mental health was completed during the
year and brought into functional operation in June. This was the Grange Tannery project
in the Bermondsey area of the Borough. The complex was officially opened on 8 October
1969, by the Rt. Hon. R. Mellish, P.C., M.P., K.S.G. Amongst those who attended the
ceremony were the Worshipful the Mayor, The Mayoress, Mr. S. Silkin, M.P., Members of
the Council, Chairmen of Health Committees from neighbouring Boroughs, Medical
Officers of Health from other Inner London Boroughs, general practitioners, representatives
from the Department of Health and Social Security, industrial firms who supply
work to the Centres, and Mental Health Societies; and Council Chief Officers and other
staff.
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