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Residential care of the mentally ill—During the year 203 chronic and senile cases
(compared with 181 during 1959) were maintained by the Council in residential accommodation;
185 at homes owned or sponsored by the Mental After-Care Association, nine
at hostels of the Jewish Board of Guardians, five at Parnham House (National Association
for Mental Health) and four at other establishments.
Recuperative holidays for psychiatric patients— During the year 128 persons recovering
from mild psychiatric illness were granted recuperative holidays of two to three weeks in
general recuperative holiday homes; seven who had had more serious mental breakdown
were sent for similar periods to homes owned or sponsored by the Mental After-Care
Association, and four were accommodated for somewhat longer periods at Mental AfterCare
Association homes for rehabilitation. The total of 139 compares with 164 in 1959.
Home teaching—A third home teacher for the mentally subnormal was appointed during
1960 and at the end of the year tuition was being provided for 48 persons who were unable
through physical handicap to attend training centres.
Community care of the mentally ill—Up to 24 October, 1960, whilst this service was
provided by a small team of psychiatric social workers based on the central offices, 388
cases were dealt with, compared with 361 during the whole of 1959 when, however, there
were considerable periods during which the full complement of staff was not available.
From 24 October until the end of the year the divisional teams dealt with 307 references
for community care of the mentally ill. Not all these cases were, however, undertaken by
psychiatric social workers.
Guardianship—A further review of guardianship cases took place, as a result of which
24 patients were discharged and placed under voluntary supervision. Following the full
implementation of the Mental Health Act, 1959 on 1 November, 1960 responsible medical
officers, approved for the purposes of section 28 of the Act, commenced the review and
classification required within six months of this date of the 92 patients remaining under
guardianship, to decide whether they should be retained under guardianship or, alternatively,
discharged and placed under community care.
Lunacy and Mental Treatment Acts, 1890-1930 and Mental Health Act, 1959
The following statistical tables relate to persons alleged to be suffering from mental
illness referred to the Council's mental welfare officers. References to sections are to the
Lunacy Act, 1890 unless otherwise indicated.

* These numbers exclude cases referred for a psychiatrist's advice by the mental welfare officer after seeing
the patient and before taking action.
90