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 1970
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Richmond upon Thames]
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Mental Illness.
The Borough was served by the following psychiatric hospitals during the year: —
Long Grove Hospital, Epsom, Surrey.
(Districts served : Richmond and Barnes).
Springfield Hospital, Beechcroft Road, Upper Tooting, S.W. 17, up to 31.1.70.
Horton Hospital, Epsom, Surrey, from 1.2.70.
(Districts 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 :
| Section | M | F | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section 5 | 38 (24) | 53 (39) | 91 (63) |
| Section 25 | 37 (30) | 60 (47) | 97 (77) |
| Section 26 | 4 (4) | 1 (3) | 5 (7) |
| Section 29 | 10 (17) | 18 (19) | 28 (36) |
| Section 60 | - (1) | (-) | (1) |
| Section 136 | - (1) | - (- ) | - (1) |
| Total | 89 (77) | 132 (108) | 221 (185) |
(Figures in brackets are those as at 31st December, 1969).
Close Co-operation was maintained with the hospitals providing psychiatric cover
for the Borough, including regular case conferences attended by mental welfare officers.
Arrangements exist with all catchment hospitals for the mentally ill for mental welfare
officers to be called when statutory action is necessary under the Mental Health Act
1959 on Richmond upon Thames residents. These arrangements ensure a measure of
continuity in the care and after care of the persons concerned.
The arrangements whereby a Borough Social Worker was allocated to Springfield
Hospital terminated in July, 1970.
My thanks are due to Dr. B. A. J. C. Gregory, Medical Superintendent, and the
staff of Horton Hospital, Epsom, and to Dr. A. B. Munro, Physician Superintendent,
and the staff of Long Grove Hospital, Epsom, for their co-operation and help since
Richmond upon Thames came within their catchment areas.
I set out below a report received from Miss D. C. Clark, Principal Social Work
Organiser, who besides acting as Chief Mental Welfare Officer is responsible for the
co-ordination of all casework and visits undertaken by the department s social workers,
in-service training, and joint liaison with Training Organisations: —
"Training.
During 1970 three Mental Health Social Workers obtained places on courses
leading to the certificate in Social Work. The Senior Mental Welfare Officer was
one of those successful and was seconded on 75% salary to attend a C.S.W. course
for one year at Enfield.
In-service training has continued within the section and three Mental Health
Social Worker trainees successfully completed their training and hope to go on
to professional training at a later date.
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