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
Bromley 1968
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bromley]
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there is a 2 per cent decline in total cases. If this trend continues
over the next few years it could but point to the successful
"habilitation" of the mildly subnormal resulting in those with poor
intellectual endowments taking their full place in the community,
unsupported by the Mental Health Social Worker.
The prevalence and inception rate of severe subnormality in
the Borough remains constant (for details see chapter on Subnormality).
| Mental Health Act 1959 | Mentally Ill and Psychopaths | Mentally Subnormal & Severely Subnormal |
|---|---|---|
In the previous Annual Report a comment was made on the
number of hospital admissions showing an upward trend. In 1968
there was a reversal of this trend. It is most gratifying to see that
the decrease is taken up wholly in compulsory admissions.
Mental Welfare Officer as Specialised Social Worker
The concept of deploying the Mental Welfare Officer's skills
in three general directions—statutory duties, general support and
intensive casework—has proved a sound one and the service has
been fortunate in the stability of the staff. There were two resignations
in 1968. We were again fortunate in attracting new staff with
the right personalities and good qualifications; one a psychiatric
social worker and the other possessing a diploma in social studies.