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The I.L.E.A.'s highly professional puppet show, with the villains representing
the effects of dental neglect, again visited a number of schools in November
and was seen by nearly 4,500 children. Visits were also paid to two children's
hospitals. Schools are also continuing the Apple Club project initiated two years
ago by the purchase of apples from local dealers for resale to children in an
effort to cut down consumption of sweets.
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE
Co-operation was maintained during the year with all organisations concerned
with mental health and, in particular, close liaison with psychiatric
hospitals continued. The Psychiatric Advisory Committee to the Medical Officer
of Health, consisting of four consultants from psychiatric hospitals with catchment
areas in the Borough, met on two occasions during the year. Matters discussed
by the committee included Housing Associations, District General Hospital
Services, the five-year programme of development and expansion of services,
and the Handicapped Children's Unit at Bethlem Royal Hospital.
Close co-operation between the hospital and local health authority services
was maintained. Two Council nurses with psychiatric training continued to work
within the catchment area of St. Olave's Hospital and, at 31st December, 1970,
four mental welfare officers were employed on a joint-appointment basis with
various psychiatric hospitals in the area. One occupational therapist was also
jointly appointed with the hospital service; she made domiciliary visits to handicapped
persons, gave instruction in a number of activities and was able to
arrange limited payments to patients able to undertake light industrial work in
their own homes. The Deputy Medical Officer of Health and the Chief Mental
Welfare Officer met members of the National Health Service Hospital Advisory
Service and discussed ways of increasing co-operation between the three branches
of the National Health Service, particularly so far as the effects on mentally
handicapped persons were concerned.
The London Boroughs of Southwark, Lambeth and Wandsworth continued
satisfactorily the arrangements whereby they dealt with calls and emergencies
outside normal office hours on a shared basis (see APPENDIX C). During the
first ten months of the year, Southwark's male mental health escort continued to
assist other Boroughs on a payment basis and undertook a total of 178 escort
duties.
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