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95
Recuperative
holidays and
long-term
residential
care
During the year recuperative holidays of four to eight weeks duration were
provided, mostly in Mental After Care Association homes, for 59 persons suffering
from some form of mental illness. The number of persons receiving these holidays
was unfortunately restricted owing to lack of accommodation, but it is hoped that
this difficulty will be overcome. Responsibility for the maintenance, in homes of
the Mental After Care Association, of mentally sick persons needing long-term
residential care, but not requiring skilled nursing or medical treatment, was transferred
from the Welfare Committee to the Health Committee. This was contemplated
in the Council's scheme under section 51 of the National Health Service Act, 1946.
The weekly charge made by the Mental After Care Association for maintenance in
their homes was increased from 44s. 11d. to 54s. 10d. a head during the year. At the
end of the year 55 persons were being boarded out under this arrangement.
After care
The Mental After Care Association and the National Association for Mental
Health continued to provide a domiciliary after care service on the Council's behalf
for persons living in London suffering from mental illness and requiring help and
advice. The Council contributed 90 per cent, of the approved cost of this service.
260 new cases were visited, 145 by the National Association for Mental Health and
115 by the Mental After Care Association, making a total of 727 cases dealt with
since the scheme was started in 1949.
The Council continued to contribute 90 per cent. of the approved cost of six
psychotherapeutic social clubs and a rehabilitation centre run by the Institute of
Social Psychiatry for various types of patient needing social readjustment.
In December, 1950, the Council agreed to make a payment of £200 to the National
Association for Mental Health in consideration of the services of the Association
in the field of mental health from which the Council, in common with other local
health authorities, has benefited, but in respect of which the Association receives no
direct reimbursement of the cost involved. Prior to the operation of the National
Health Service Act, 1946, a contribution was made by the Council to the Association
by deduction from the Exchequer grant under the Local Government Act, 1929, in
respect of such services and its cessation resulted in the Association being unable
to cover all the costs of its services and activities.
Medical
adviser
Dr. A. A. W. Petrie, C.B.E., acted as medical adviser on mental health to the
Council throughout the year on a part-time basis.
Mental Deficiency Acts, 1913-1938
The following table shows the sources from which cases have been brought to
notice under the Mental Deficiency Acts and the action taken thereon:—