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61
consultant in a case where the individual, in spite of the support
from the usual caretaker agencies like neighbours, clergy and
doctors, does not satisfactorily cope with a crisis situation.
Lastly, both the G.P.s and the M.W.O.s can contribute much
to the concept of illness as a family symptom. The G.P. with his
knowledge of the other members of the family often extending
several generations back, and the M.W.O. understanding the
complex workings of the Welfare State and its resources, the
locality and scope of voluntary agencies, can together offer "total"
treatment of the situation and support not only the overtly sick in
the community, but its vulnerable members as well.
At the time of writing this report the scheme has operated
for seven months and no real difficulties were encountered. It
involves no more than one hour per week spent by the family
doctor and M.W.O. in discussing their "joint patients". The
doctors concede that the prejudice against the M.W.O. employed
for "constabulary" duties only, is dying out rapidly. At the same
time, the Mental Welfare Officer is abandoning the concept of the
General Practitioner working in isolation with the surgery doors
opened to patients only.
Statutory Functions
The importance of statutory duties performed by the M.W.O.
must never be under-estimated. For performing these, the M.W.O.
is vested with legal powers under the Mental Health Act, 1959.
The table below gives the number of admissions where the M.W.O.
was involved either formally or informally.

Here, too, a steady upward trend adds weight to the argument
against the wishful thinking still indulged in by enthusiasts and
professionals alike, namely, that the higher the standard of