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(2) Mental illness of defectiveness.The visitation of patients after discharge from mental
hospitals was continued by the Psychiatric Social Worker at Goodmayes Mental Hospital. Unfortunately
the Council«s efforts to obtain the services of a Psychiatric Social Worker were unsuccessful
owing to the great shortage of suitably qualified persons. Further information on the care
of mental patients will be found in the Mental Health Section - pages 31 to 35.
Section 29 - Domestic Help. Prior to the 5th July, the Council had in operation a scheme for the
provision of home helps for maternity and sickness cases. From the aforementioned date the
service was expanded to meet the considerable increased demand which was made upon it.
At the end of 1948, the staff engaged on this work was - one Home Help Organiser with one
assistant; 103 home helps (11 permanent and 92 part time).
The home helps attended 402 cases during the year, 202 of these being maternity and the
remainder sickness cases, At the end of the year 19 cases had been receiving help for a period
exceeding one year, Some slight difficulty was experienced in obtaining home help for maternity
cases.
During the year, the following work was carried out by the Home Help Organiser and her
assistants-
377 visits were made to maternity applicants
343 " " " maternity home helps
770 " " " " general sickness applicants
255 " " " " general sickness home helps
4335 office consultations.
Section 51 Mental Health® A Mental Health Sub-Committee consisting, apart from ex-officio
members,, of eight members of the Council, was appointed by the Health Committee,, This SubCommittee
was responsible for drawing up proposals under the Acts but routine business under the
Mental Health Services is conducted by the full Health Committee,,
STAFF
(a) Medical Ascertainment and medical examination of mental defectives is carried out by the
Deputy Medical Officer of Health and the Chief Assistant School Medical Officer, both of whom
have had considerable experience in this work. Arrangements have also been ms.de with the
Regional Hospital Board for the Physician Superintendent of Goodmayes Mental Hospital and his
staff to be available for consultation when required under the Lunacy Acts and the Mental
Treatment Act. In addition, two local general practitioners who are approved by the Minister
of Health for the purpose of making recommendations under Section 5 of the Mental Treatment Act,
1930, are available when required.
(b} Lay A senior duly authorised officer fsupervisory)$ three male and one female duly authorised
officers: the latter was Supervisor of mental defectives until the 5th July when she was
designated a duly authorised officer to act, If required, in an emergency. This lady left the
Counci's service in October, 1948. Clerical assistance Is provided as and when required from
Health Department staff. The duly authorised officers, who are experienced in mental welfare,
carry out various duties under the Mental Deficiency, Lunacy and Mental Treatment Acts.
LUNACY AND MENTAL TREATMENT ACTS
A twenty-four-hour rota system is operated by the three male duly authorised officers,
calls for their services after normal office hours being made through the Council's Ambulance
Control.
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