View report page

51
MENTAL HEALTH
1961 has seen the completion of the first full year's
operation under the Mental Health Act, and no insuperable difficulties
have been encountered. Arrangements for admissions to
mental hospitals in particular have been facilitated by the
short notice consultative domiciliary visiting service introduced
by the Medical Superintendent of Warlingham Park Hospital.
This has ensured that all but a few patients dealt with under
compulsory powers have been examined both by their general
practitioners and an approved doctor from the admitting hospital
As a result of discussions between the practitioners concerned
it has also often been possible to treat patients without the
necessity of admission to hospital. The Mental welfare Officers
have had to spend considerably more time on admission formalities,
but this was an inescapable outcome of the new procedures
Developments during the year have included the appointment
of a Senior Mental Welfare Officer, the opening of a training
centre for sub normal adults, and the transfer to larger premises
(provided and maintained by the Corporation) of the Day Centre
for the mentally handicapped which is organised and run by the
Warlingham Park Hospital Management Committee.
Essential expansion of the social work activities has been
hampered by the difficulty of recruiting qualified officers, and
in the case of welfare assistants, of obtaining places on Courses
carrying nationally recognised social work qualifications.
Administration
The Medical Officer of Health is in administrative control,
the Deputy and two Assistant Medical Officers of Health are
approved for the purpose of the Mental Health Act, and the
Medical Superintendent of Warlingham Park Hospital serves as
Psychiatric Adviser under arrangements agreed with the Regional
Hospital Board. There is a Senior Mental Welfare Officer (a
Qualified Psychiatric social worker), a Planning Officer, four
Mental Welfare officers and a Welfare Assistant. Posts yet to
be filled include a Psychiatric Social worker, a Social worker
and a welfare Assistant.
Voluntary Associations
The only duty delegated to a voluntary organisation was the
care and supervision of sixteen severely subnormal patients
Placed with the Guardianship Society. The service also has close
and cordial ties with the Croydon and District Society for