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that the general practitioner has no role to play in this service. Indeed, the very opposite
is the true case. It is towards him that the mentally disordered patient and his family
usually first turn for help and guidance. The friendliest of consultations have been held
in the Medical Liaison Committee and also in the Mental Health Advisory Committee to ensure
that the family practitioner can make to the full his special contribution towards the
promotion of mental health. In addition it is pleasing to record that the good relationships
which have always existed between general practitioners and the mental health social
workers in the Department have been continued and strengthened during 1959.
Administration
There has been no change in the general pattern of administration of this Section.
The Lunacy and Mental Treatment Acts
During the year the mental welfare officers carried out the following work in
connection with these Acts.
(a) 292 calls were received in connection with mental illness and 743 visits
were made to these cases.
(b) 240 cases were admitted to hospital.
M. P. Total
(a) As voluntary and informal patients 49 77 126
(b) As temporary patients - 3 3
(c) Under Summary Reception Orders - 5 5
(d) For observation 41 65 106
90 150 240
223 cases were admitted to Goodmayes Hospital.
The age incidence of these admissions was as follows:-
Sex
0
15
25
35
45
55
65
75 & over
Total
Male
1
10
19
21
17
16
6
5
95
Female
-
8
26
34
24
18
22
13
145
TOTAL
1
18
45
55
41
34
28
18
240
It will be noted that 18 of these admissions were of persons aged 75 years or over,
with a total of 46 for persons aged 65 and over.
In addition to making arrangements for dealing with patients under the Lunancy Act
of 1890 and the Mental Treatment Act of 1930 the mental health officers undertake a
considerable amount of work in relation to the domiciliary after-care of patients discharged
from mental hospitals and also in relation to the supervision of notified cases of mental
deficiency.
Mental Deficiency Acts, 1913-1938.
Ascertainment. Eleven mentally handicapped persons (6 males and 5 females) were
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