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Of the 253 cases admitted to hospital through the Council's service, l6l (63%)
were voluntary patients which is again an upward trend. Of those initially admitted
under Urgency Orders and for observation, 87 (57%) subsequently consented to remain for
voluntary treatment. In addition, 82 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 335 patients admitted to mental hospitals from West Ham,
280 (83%) were voluntary patients.
In 71 cases (22 males and 49 females) to which the Mental Health Officers were
called no statutory action was taken as alternative means oould 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, 1913-1938.
Ascertainment. Seventeen defectives (13 males and 4 females) were ascertained
during the year. Of these, 14 (10 males and 4 females) were reported by the Local Education
Authority (10 as being ineducable children and as needing supervision after leaving
school); 3 cases (all males) were reported from other sources.
Sixteen of these cases (13 males and 3 females) were placed under Statutory
Supervision and the remaining case was admitted for institutional care.
In addition to the ascertained defectives, 6 other cases came to the notice of the
department. Two were plaoed under friendly supervision; 3 were not regarded as mentally
defective and one was still under investigation at the end of the year.
Supervision. At the end of the year 298 mental defectives (l6lmales and 137 females)
were under statutory supervision, 3 under friendly supervision, and 8 on licence from
institutions.
These cases were visited by the Mental Health Offioers at approximately quarterly
intervals or more frequently if need be. In addition, informal contacts were maintained
with other cases who it was felt might be in need of friendly help or guidance, i.e.,
border-line cases and those discharged from Order.
The majority of the defectives under statutory supervision are in fairly regular
employment and self-supporting. Those defectives considered capable of working but finding
difficulty in obtaining employment of a suitable nature are referred to the Disablement
Resettlement Officer and consultation takes place to decide the most suitable occupational
placing.
Visits in connection with the Mental Deficiency Acts during the year were as follows
Cases under statutory supervision 1,191
Cases on licence from institutions 39
Reports for licence, holidays, etc., from the
Inst itut ions 38
Reports for Statutory Visitors 85
Other visits 260
1,613
84