London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
London County Council 1955
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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October, 1955
November, 1955
Week commencing 2.10.55—134 Week commencing 30.10.55—165
9.10.55—149 „ „ 7.11.55—150
16.10.55—146 „ „ 14.11.55—120*
23.10.55—166 „ „ 21.11.55—120
28.11.55—128
* Campaign week.
Provision of
care and
treatment for
the mentally
ill
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
| 1955 | 1954 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | Female | Total | ||
| Admitted for observation to hospitals designated under section 20 of the Lunacy Act, 1890 | 2,003 | 2,204 | 4,207 | 4,622 |
| Dealt with in their own homes, etc., under sections 14 and 16 of the Lunacy Act, 1890 | 433 | 1,161 | 1,594* | 1,681 † |
| Admitted direct to mental hospitals under section 11 of the Lunacy Act, 1890 | 16 | 26 | 42 | 34 |
| No action under the Lunacy Acts found necessary | 1,060 | 1,443 | 2,503 | 2,353 |
| Total | 3,512 | 4,834 | 8,346 | 8,690 |
‡ It should be noted that a number of these patients were dealt with on more than one occasion although it is not possible
to state from the records the extent to which this has occurred. An alteration has been made in the method of statistical
recording and it is hoped to include this and other information in future annual reports.
* Of these 197 male and 541 female patients were certified and removed to mental hospitals.
† Of these 281 male and 649 female patients were certified and removed to mental hospitals.
The ultimate disposal or the patients admitted to observation wards (including 129 patients in wards on 1st January, 1955) is shown below :
| 1955 | 1954 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | Female | Total | ||
| Certified and sent to mental hospitals | 494 | 653 | 1,147 | 1,416 |
| Admitted as voluntary patients to mental hospitals | 719 | 865 | 1,584 | 1,501 |
| Admitted as temporary patients to mental hospitals | 20 | 37 | 57 | 36 |
| Discharged to care of relatives (Section 22) | 3 | 12 | 15 | 27 |
| No order made by Justice and patient discharged | 12 | 6 | 18 | 19 |
| Transferred to general wards | 59 | 42 | 101 | 90 |
| Transferred to Tooting Bec Hospital without certification | 39 | 40 | 79 | 162 |
| Transferred to Abbots Langley Hospital without certification | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| Transferred to Mental After-Care Association homes | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Died | 50 | 25 | 75 | 83 |
| Discharged by medical officer | 599 | 495 | 1,094 | 1,285 |
| Dealt with privately | — | 1 | 1 | 18 |
| Dealt with under Mental Deficiency Acts | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 |
| In ward at end of year | 63 | 90 | 153 | 129 |
| Total | 2,064 | 2,272 | 4,336 | 4,778 |
Although, for the first time since 1948, the number of persons referred showed a
slight decline, the number of persons dealt with in their own homes or otherwise than
in an observation ward under sections 14 and 16 of the Lunacy Act, 1890, or under section
11 of the Act, was almost as great as in 1954, whilst the number admitted to observation
wards showed a disproportionate decrease. Owing to the extra work caused by the
large number of direct admissions to mental hospitals, an additional position of assistant
mental welfare officer was authorised from 1st April, 1955.
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