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The special care unit children are now transported in the specially constructed coach
purchased by the Council, which is greatly appreciated. The special care unit in the day
nursery for handicapped children under 5 years has helped parents who need relief before
the children are old enough to be admitted to the training centres.
Home visits by occupational therapists have continued to those unable through
physical disabilities to attend centres. Ruston Street Diagnostic Clinic is much
appreciated by the parents. Home visiting by the social worker has been increasing and
heavy demands are made on this department by other departments of the Council, hospitals
and voluntary organisations.
Contact with the schools for maladjusted has grown and should help when these children
leave school. The satisfactory relationships with the schools for educationally subnormal
children have been maintained as also with the Youth Employment Service. More
students have been accepted and many more visitors have come to see the various
activities. The various departments of the Council have been co-operative and I hope
have found this department equally helpful. Our thanks to all who have helped us to help
our patients."
Referrals
Persons referred to the department showed an increase of 10 per cent over last year and
37 per cent over 1965. The number under community care increased by 19 per cent over 1966.
Admissions to Hospital
In addition to community care for patients and their families the mental health social
workers are responsible for the statutory admission where necessary of patients to hospital.
Informal and compulsory admissions for the year numbered 246 a decrease of 14 per cent from
last year.
Emergency Night and Weekend Service
A designated mental health officer must, statutorily, be available at all times to deal
with emergency calls for the mental health service. This means providing a 24-hour service,
seven days a week, including bank holidays.
The mental health social workers augmented by some nursing staff provide a night and
weekend duty service on a rota basis. This emergency service operates from 5 p.m. each evening
to 8.45 a.m. the following morning and at weekends from 5 p.m. on Fridays to 8.45 a.m. on
Mondays, during which period all requests are directed to the duty doctor at St. Clement's
Hospital, Bow Road, E.3. who contacts the mental health officer on duty as required.
Approval of Doctors under Mental Health Act 1959
The Mental Health Act 1959 provides that one of the two medical recommendations required
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