Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]
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(5) Four of the Duly Authorised Officers act as Mental Deficiency
Visitors and each is responsible for an area of the
Borough in which he carries out routine visiting of patients
under guardianship or on statutory or friendly supervision.
(6) The Corporation consider that the close co-ordination of
hospital and domiciliary mental health services is essential for
the full benefits to be available to those concerned. To this
end, they will consult as may be required with the Regional
Hospital Board or Hospital Management Committees regarding interlocking
membership of relevant Committees, co-optation of
officers or ad hoc liaison Committees as may be appropriate.
(7) General administration of the mental health service will
continue as a responsibility of the Medical Officer of Health.
(8) The Regional Hospital Board will be asked to make formal
arrangements for consultant psychiatric sessions to be available
for the Corporation from the psychiatrists in contract with the
Board at mental hospitals serving Croydon.
(9) As regards Warlingham Park Hospital, whose staff will be
mainly concerned, the allocation of these sessions will be
through the Medical Superintendent of that hospital.
(10) The Corporation will augment their existing staff of lay
officers and begin by the appointment of a suitably qualified
Senior Mental Welfare Officer (preferably a Psychiatric Social
Worker). The Corporation will commence a training scheme for
Mental Welfare Officers and propose the early appointment of two
trainees, and will make other arrangements by secondment if
necessary, to ensure that staff are adequately trained and
qualified.
Pending the Minister's approval of national training standards,
such trainees will be given supervised experience and
allowed to attend appropriate courses of instruction, which may
be arranged by other local health authorities or voluntary
organisations
(11) They will appoint such additional administrative and
clerical staff as may be required to support the work of the
clinical officers. To support the co-ordination of hospital and
domiciliary services for the prevention, treatment and aftercare
of mental disorder, the Corporation will make available
suitable and adequate accommodation for the use of all staff
concerned with these duties in as close proximity as possible to
Corporation departments concerned with health and social
services.