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
Barking 1969
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]
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WORK OF THE MENTAL WELFARE OFFICERS During the year 297 patients were referred to the mental health service.
| Mentally ill | Mentally Sub-Normal | |
|---|---|---|
| Referred by general practitioners | 42 | 1 |
| Referred by hospitals on discharge | 79 | 9 |
| Referred by hospitals after or during out-patient or day treatment | 39 | 1 |
| Referred by Local Education Authority | - | l4 |
| Referred by police and courts | 2 | - |
| Referred by other sources, e.g. neighbours, relatives, Ministry of Social Security and other social and welfare agencies, inward transfers from other areas | 96 | |
| 258 | 39 |
In addition, 85 cases were referred by General Practitioners or Hospitals for assessment/social reports in connection with hospital admission.
| Mentally ill | Mentally Sub-Normal | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Persons receiving community care at the end of the year | 181 | 390 |
| Number of persons attending day centres | 35 | 197 |
| Number receiving residential care | 12 | 35 |
| Number of admissions for temporary residential care to relieve the family | 5 | 21 |
During the year the following admissions to mental hospital were dealt with by the department:-
| Informal | 36 |
| Compulsory | 59 |
| Via Court | 4 |
RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION
The maisonette in Blake Avenue, Barking, providing places for four
mentally ill persons continued to be fully occupied during the year, and
in view of the success of this project a further maisonette, in Terling
Road, Dagenham, also providing 4 places, was allocated by the Housing Committee.
The flats were equipped and two tenants were installed by the end of the
year, under the supervision of the mental welfare officers.
PORTERS AVENUE DAY CENTRE
The Centre continued to make a real contribution to the support
and rehabilitation of the mentally sick, in some cases reducing the
frequency of admission to mental hospital and in others reducing the
length of stay in hospital.
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