London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Merton and Morden 1951
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Merton & Morden]
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It is gratifying to record and to take the opportunity of
expressing appreciation of the fact that the same friendly
interchange of information and cordial relations between these
hospitals and the Public Health Department have continued
unimpaired in spite of the administrative upheaval.
General and Maternity.
1. The Nelson Hospital. The accommodation of this hospital,
which serves the Wimbledon, Merton and Morden area is
121 beds, 47 of which are maternity beds.
2. Other Hospitals. Other hospitals available for the use
of residents of the district include the St. Helier Hospital,
situate just beyond the boundary of our district in the Carshalton
area, and the Epsom and Kingston Hospitals, which are
within a matter of five miles or so.
MENTAL DISEASE.
Cases dealt with under the Lunacy Acts, 1890, in the district of
Merton and Morden
There were 41 cases certified under these Acts during the
year.
Below is given the provisional classification according to the condition on admission.
| Male | Female | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senile Dementia | 4 | 9 | 13 |
| Delusional Insanity | 5 | 6 | 11 |
| Suicidal | 2 | 7 | 9 |
| Schizophrenia | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Hallucinated and Depressed | — | 4 | 4 |
| Total | 13 | 28 | 41 |
Of these cases 15 were certified under Section 16, 5 were
placed under observation under Section 20, and 21 were
removed to hospital under an Urgency Order under Section 11.
In addition 60 patients (22 male and 38 female) were admitted
direct to Mental Hospital under Section 1 of the Mental Treatment
Act, 1930, as voluntary patients.
32