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It will be noted that 17 of these admissions were of persons aged 75 years or over,
with a total of 50 for persons aged 65 and over. This is an increase of 14 in the group
of persons aged 65 and over and is perhaps an indication of the problem which is likely to
increase from year to year owing to the ageing population and to the continued difficulties
in the housing and economic situation which are resulting to some extent from the break up
of the family system. More and more old people are being left to their own resources by
their children who are married and who have been rehoused elsewhere. Many of them continue
to live lonely lives and have an inadequate diet, both of which factors may contribute to
their general enfeeblement and mental deterioration,
Of the 203 cases admitted to hospital through the Council's service, 122 (60%) were
voluntary patients which is again an upward trend. Of those initially admitted under Urgency
Orders and for observation, 23 (47%) subsequently consented to remain for voluntary treatment
and the question of certification did not arise. In addition, 101 patients were admitted
direct to hospital as voluntary patients either through the psychiatric clinics or by their
private doctors. It can thus be seen that of the 304 patients admitted to mental hospitals
from West Ham, 246 (81%) were voluntary patients.
Much of the prejudice against admission to mental hospitals has now been overcome but
considerable harm cam be done by sensational articles in the press. There can never be any
objection to factual comment on any shortcomings in mental hospitals, but the manner of
presentation may increase the resistance of would-be voluntary patients to admission to
hospital for treatment which they urgently need, even in those areas where the hospital
facilities are excellent.
In 45 cases (22 males and 23 females) to which the Duly Authorised Officers were called
no statutory action was taken as alternative means could be found of helping the patient in
co-operation with the general practitioner either by reference to a Psychiatric Clinic, by
sending the patient away for recuperative holiday, or by enlisting the aid of other persons
who could help in one way or another,
(c) Mental Deficiency Acts, 1915-1938.
Ascertainment. Thirty-two defectives (16 males and 16 females) were ascertained during
the year. Of these, 24 (13 males and 11 females) were reported by the Local Education
Authority (14 as being ineducable children and 10 as needing supervision after leaving school);
2 cases (l male and 1 female) came from the Courts and 6 (2 males and 4 females) from other
sources.
Twenty-seven of these cases (14 males and 13 females) were placed under Statutory
Supervision and the remaining 5 (2 males and 3 females) admitted for institutional care.
In addition to the ascertained defectives, 4 other cases came to the notice of the department.
Two were placed under friendly supervision and two were still under investigation at the
end of the year.
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