View report page

Fifteen of these cases (4 males and 11 females) were placed under StatutorySupervision
and the others were admitted to hospital.
In addition to the ascertained persons, 15 other cases came to the notice of the
department. Twelve 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 277 mental defectives (147 males and 130 females)
were under statutory supervision, 17 under friendly supervision and 6 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 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.

Guardianship. There were 2 defectives under guardianship at the end of the year.
Both were with guardians outside West Ham and were supervised by the local health authority,
in which they reside. Cases under guardianship are visited at approximately six-monthly
intervals by a member of the Health Committee and by one of the Council's medical officers.
Temporary Accommodation for Defectives. During the year arrangements were made
for 11 defectives to receive temporary care. Three were females aged 50, 42 and 35 years
and eight were males aged 43, 43, 24, 20, 19, 16, 11 and 7 years. Nine were accommodated
at South Ockendon Institution by the kind permission of the Physician Superintendent, one
by arrangement with the Guardianship Society, Brighton, and one was sent to a home in Devon.
79