View report page

Of the 242 oases admitted to hospital through the Council's service, 174 (72%)
were voluntary patients which is again an upward trend. Of those initially admitted
under Urgency Orders and for observation, 23 (54%) subsequently consented to remain for
voluntary treatment. In addition, 76 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 318 patients admitted to mental hospitals from West Ham
250 (78%) were voluntary patients.
In 67 cases (27 males and 40 females) to which the Mental Health Officers were
called no statutory action was taken. In many of these cases help was given in cooperation
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.
Mental Deficiency Acts, 1913-1938.
Ascertainment. Twenty mentally handicapped persons (11 males and 9 females) were
ascertained during the year. Of these, 17 (8 males and 9 females) were reported by the
Local Education Authority (11 as being ineducable children and 6 as needing supervision
after leaving school); 3 cases (1 male and 2 females) were reported from other sources.
Eighteen of these cases (11 males and 7 females) were placed under Statutory
Supervision and 2 females were admitted to hospital.
In addition to the ascertained persons, 9 other cases came to the notice of the
department. Six were placed under friendly supervision; 2 were not regarded as mentally
handicapped and one was still under investigation at the end of the year.
Supervision. At the end of the year 286 mentally handicapped persons (152 males
and 134 females) were under statutory supervision, 8 under friendly supervision; and 9
on licence from institutions.
These cases were visited by the Mental Health Officers 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 persons under statutory supervision are in fairly regular
employment and self-supporting. Those considered capable of working but who find
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 supervision 1013
Cases on licence from institutions 47
Reports for licence, holidays, etc., from the
institutions 23
Reports for Statutory Visitors 82
Other visits 198
Total 1363
82