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The re-orientated services formed a section of the health
department under the immediate direction and control of the
Medical Officer of Health.
The Council has agreed to the appointment at the earliest
possible moment of a psychiatrist to act as a whole-time medical
officer for mental health.
Reference has already been made to the appointment of Duly
Authorised Officers and five men and one woman officer are engaged
on the special duties now appertaining to these posts.
The duties embrace the ascertainment, arrangements for certification,
appropriate measures for the care of voluntary and
temporary patients, and transport to suitable institutions. The
follow-up and after-care of all types of mental and mentally
defective cases is dealt with by these specially trained officers in a
tactful and sympathetic manner which has been much appreciated
both by people and general medical practitioners in the community.
The proposals envisage complete centralisation of the service
at the Town Hall Annexe and this has almost been accomplished.
The ambulance service is available for the transport of mental
and mentally deficient patients to their destination.
Sections 28 and 51—Statistics.
(a) Mental patients—Lunacy and, Mental Treatment Acts.
Number on register on 5/7/48:—
(1) Certified—
Males 156 Females 201 Total 357
(2) Temporary—
Males 3 Females 1 Total 4
(3) Voluntary—
Males 83 Females 76 Total 159
Grand Total 520
Admissions to institutions from 5/7/48 to 31/12/48:—
(1) Certified—
Males 10 Females 17 Total 27
(2) Temporary—
Males 2 Females — Total 2
(3) Voluntary—
Males 30 Females 29 Total 59
Grand Total 88