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
West Ham 1935
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]
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| For 5 yrs. | Males 27. | Females 23. | Total 50. | ||
| For 1 yr. | Males 10. | Females 9. | Total 19. | ||
| Twenty-four cases were removed from the register for reasons as follows:— | |||||
| Removed to other Areas— | |||||
| Males 11. | Females 5. | Total 16. | |||
| Died— | |||||
| Males 1. | Females 4. | Total 5. | |||
| Dealt with under the Lunacy Acts— | |||||
| Males 1. | Females 2. | Total 3. | |||
| Number of cases who were granted Licence— | |||||
| Males 8. | Females 5. | Total 13. | |||
Ascertainment.
A Local Authority is, to a great extent, dependent upon
various agencies in carrying out its duty of obtaining knowledge
of the mental defectives living within its area, and it is only by
close co-operation with the Officers of the Education, Public
Assistance and Maternity and Child Welfare Committees, Local
Police Courts and Voluntary Associations that complete information
regarding them can be obtained. As will no doubt be
realised, the Education and Public Assistance Committees are the
chief sources of information. During the year 55 new cases were
certified under the Acts, and of these 23 were reported by the
Education Committee and 16 by the Public Assistance Committee.
Cuardianship.
This type of care is found to be the most suitable for certain
cases, and is obviously more economical than institutional care.
There are three women under Guardianship under Order. Two of
these are in the care of their parents. It was found that the
parents in these cases were averse to parting with them, but were
obliged to consider the question of applying for admission to an
institution as their means were so small that they could not afford
to keep them. Orders for Guardianship were accordingly obtained
and a small weekly allowance made to the parents.
Institutional Accommodation.
Although 37 cases were admitted to institutions during the
year, great difficulty is still experienced in obtaining vacancies in
suitable homes, especially for the lower grade defectives.
The question of the provision of 340 additional beds at South
Ockendon Colony has received much attention, and it is hoped
that the buildings will be commenced in a few months. The extension
scheme includes facilities for training and caring for the
various grades of patients, and will comprise three Villa Blocks
for 60 adult males each, one Villa Block for 60 adult females,
two Villa Blocks for 50 children each, Recreation Hall, selfcontained
Administrative Block, Male and Female Workshops,
Nurses' Home, Medical Superintendent's House and Staff Cottages.
It is to be regretted, however, that there is to be no
special accommodation for the lowest grade of patients.
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