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97
As such evidence would not be easy to obtain, the Council decided to draw the attention
of the Minister of Health to the difficulties which might arise from this decision and
suggested that the point should be considered by the proposed Royal Commission
on the law relating to mental illness and mental deficiency.
Institutional
vacancies
The shortage of vacant beds in institutions for the mentally defective continued to
cause concern. Although the number of patients requiring institutional care during the
year was 33 fewer than in 1952, the number of admissions fell from 369 in 1952 to 306
in 1953, and the number on the waiting list rose to 199 on 31st December, 1953,
compared with 169 on 31st December, 1952. In the past, the principal difficulty has been
to find beds for children awaiting admission to the Fountain Hospital, but difficulty is
now encountered in every type of case.
The increased delay in securing admission has resulted in a considerable number of
mentally deficient persons being retained in establishments provided under the National
Assistance Act and the Children Act and in other accommodation to the detriment of
the other persons accommodated. It has been impossible to secure the prompt removal
of a number of children from accommodation in which their behaviour has constituted
a danger to other infants and young children. No fewer than 22 patients died whilst
awaiting vacancies in institutions, 19 while waiting for admission to the Fountain
Hospital. Other patients had to remain at home in circumstances of great stress to their
families.
Placing by
parent or
guardian
63 children were placed in institutions by their parents under section 3 of the Mental
Deficiency Act, 1913. One child for whom such care was requested was found on
examination to be educable.
Guardianship
During 1953, 21 patients were placed under guardianship. Of these, 15 were school
leavers whom it was considered would justify a trial in the community as they were
likely, with supervision and guidance, to become self-supporting. They were put under
the personal guardianship of the Council's inspectors who placed them in foster homes of
approved standard and found suitable employment for them within the scope of their
abilities. The number of cases being dealt with in this way is increasing and the Council's
inspectors are finding it increasingly difficult to obtain suitable foster homes.
In February, 1953, the Council approved a special arrangement for a boy under the
guardianship of an inspector to be apprenticed to a firm of furniture manufacturers for
a period of five years. Reports received during the year indicated that he was doing well.
Farm training
Two lads were placed during the year under the Y.M.C.A. s British Boys for
British Farms Scheme. One proved to be unsuccessful and returned home but the other
was placed after training on a farm in Somerset and is reported to be doing well. Another
lad who was placed in 1952, is also progressing satisfactorily.
At 31st December, 1953, there were 223 patients remaining under guardianship as
follows :
47 under the personal guardianship of the Council's inspectors.
68 under the guardianship of nominees of The Guardianship Society, Brighton.
84 under the guardianship of relatives and friends.
16 under the guardianship of superintendents of voluntary homes.
Of the remainder, 4 were temporarily in institutions awaiting decisions as to future care.
2 were receiving mental treatment in hospitals under the Lunacy and Mental Treatment
Acts, and 2 had absconded from their guardians and were untraced.
On 31st January, 1953, a patient and her mother (who was also the statutory
guardian), whose home was at Jaywick (near Clacton) died in the flood disaster.
Hostel for
girls leaving
E.S.N, schools
Reference was made in the report for 1952 to the proposed provision of a hostel
for girls placed under guardianship on leaving special schools for the educationally
sub-normal. The Minister of Health sanctioned the Council's proposal to acquire, adapt
and equip suitable premises in south-east London for this purpose.
Short term
care
Temporary emergency care was provided by the Council in accordance with the
arrangements authorized by Ministry of Health Circular 5/52, for 27 persons for an
average period of five weeks and two days. Accommodation was found with nominees