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82
The existing observation ward accommodation is quite inadequate, and since
July, 1948, it has frequently not been possible for all patients who would in normal
circumstances have been admitted to an observation ward to be so dealt with. In
order to deal with the patients for whom no accommodation was available, it has been
necessary, contrary to the Council's scheme under section 51 of the National Health
Service Act, 1946, either to admit them direct to mental hospitals by urgency orders
under section 11 of the Lunacy Act, 1890, or to bring them before a Justice in their
own homes or in general hospitals under section 14 and then, if the orders were made,
to admit them direct to mental hospitals. During the past year 261 male and 669
female patients were dealt with by these means.
A large percentage (about 45 per cent.) of the patients admitted to observation
wards are found not to require subsequent admission to a mental hospital under the
Lunacy or Mental Treatment Acts. It would seem not unlikely, therefore, that some
of the patients admitted direct to mental hospitals might have been found not to
need mental hospital treatment if they had been admitted to an observation ward.
In such cases, the patients and their relatives are caused pain and anxiety which
might have been avoided.
The shortage of accommodation at Tooting Bec hospital was a considerable
contributory factor in the shortage of accommodation in observation wards, since
beds in these wards were blocked by senile patients waiting admission to that hospital.
Some relief was afforded, however, towards the end of the year by the provision of
additional accommodation for elderly mental patients at Abbots Langley hospital
by the North West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board for patients residing in
that Region.
In view of the serious shortage of beds in observation wards, the Minister of
Health was asked to receive a deputation from the Council to hear their views on the
question. This was arranged on 12th December, 1951. All aspects of the problem
of the shortage of accommodation for mental patients were discussed with the Minister,
who undertook to investigate all the points made by the deputation and see what
could be done. (See also page 86.)
Two additional mental welfare officers were appointed during the year making
a total of 17 mental welfare officers and five assistants under the supervision of a
senior mental welfare officer. The service, which operates on a 24 hour day basis
continuously throughout the year, has continued to work centrally from the County
Hall.

* Of these 144 male and 323 female patients were certified and removed to mental hospitals.
† Of these 9 male and 110 female patients were certified and removed to mental hospitals.