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REHOUSING ON MEDICAL GROUNDS
As in previous years, all applications for rehousing on medical grounds are
dealt with by one of my staff (the Deputy Medical Officer of Health), and thereby
uniformity of "urgency" and recommendation is maintained. The work that this has
involved during the year is as follows:-
Total number of applications 317
Number of families visited 78
Number recommended for rehousing 17
Applicants with medical grounds can be divided into two categories:-
(1) Younger married couples with more children than can be reasonably
accommodated in present circumstances.
(2) Elderly persons who cannot negotiate stairs.
Many of the difficulties of the latter group could have been prevented, if
middle-aged persons were housed as near the ground floor as possible, or where
there is a lift. To house an older person alone on the second floor upwards
where there is no lift will inevitably cause difficulty in the future.
MENTAL HEALTH
Work of the Mental Welfare Officers
During the year, 473 new patients were referred for investigation and/or
action.
Referred by general practitioners 109
Referred by hospitals on discharge 115
Referred by hospitals after or during out-patient or day
treatment 72
Referred by local education authorities 22
Referred by police and courts 20
Referred by other sources, e.g. neighbours, relatives, Ministry
of Social Security and other social and welfare agencies 135
473
Number of mentally ill patients receiving care 211
Number of subnormal patients receiving care 345
Number of admissions for temporary residential care to relieve
the family 8
Number of admissions to mental hospitals during the year:
Informal 62
Compulsory 105
Via Court 3 170
Number of emergency calls dealt with outside office hours 108
40