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
Richmond upon Thames 1967
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Richmond upon Thames]
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requests for the 'sitters-in' service are made direct by telephone to the Superintendent
of District Nurses or her Deputy.
The number of cases receiving this service during the year was 8. One case was
carried over into 1968.
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
The need to rely on voluntary societies and other local authorities for the placement
of mentally disordered persons in training establishments and residential
accommodation continued.
During 1967 negotiations were concluded with the Hounslow, Twickenham and
District Society for Mentally Handicapped Children, for the use of Harle House as a
temporary 40-place junior training centre. This centre is due to open in January 1968.
It is also proposed to start a Day Centre for the mentally ill at the Hostel, 11
Rosslyn Road, Twickenham, in January 1968, initially for one session per week.
The provisions for establishments for the mentally disordered included in the
Council's plan for the development of the Health and Welfare Services over the ten
year period 1966-76 were curtailed by financial restrictions, but at the end of the year
the proposal to set up a purpose-built junior training centre at Strathmore Road,
Teddington was in the initial stage of preparation.
Mental Illness.
The Borough continues to be served by two psychiatric hospitals for the mentally
ill as follows:-
Banstead Hospital, Sutton, Surrey.
(Districts served: Richmond and Barnes);
Springfield Hospital, Beechcroft Road, Upper Tooting, S.W.17.
(District served : Twickenham, Teddington, Hampton and Hampton Wick).
The following table shows the number of patients admitted to psychiatric hospitals under the Mental Health Act during the year:
| Seotion | M | F | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section 5 | 26 (29) | 39 (38) | 65 (67) |
| Section 25 | 26 (18) | 48 (35) | 74 (53) |
| Section 26 | 4 (10) | 5 (12) | 9 (22) |
| Section 29 | 8 (31) | 17 (49) | 25 (80) |
| Section 60 | (5) | - (5) | |
| Section 136 | 2 (-) | 1 (-) | 3 (-) |
| Total ... | 66 (93) | 110 (134) | 176 (227) |
(Figures in brackets are those as at 31st December, 1966).
Co-operation with the hospitals providing psychiatric cover for the Borough is
considered to be a very important factor in the care and after-care of the mentally ill.
Mental welfare officers continue to attend out-patient clinics at the West Middlesex
and Richmond Royal Hospital. Arrangements have been entered into with Springfield
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