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 1969
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Merton]
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Details are given below of the numbers attending the Training Centre at the Manor Hospital at the end of the year: —
| On register at 31.12.69 | Males | Females | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. attending Manor Hospital | 24 | 15 | 39 |
Day Centre
In May, a Day Centre for the Mentally and Physically Handicapped
was opened in Queens Road, Wimbledon, in premises previously
used as a Civil Defence Headquarters. The Centre is jointly
operated by the Health and Welfare Departments who have the use of
part of the building. It was felt that this provided an opportunity for
the Health Department and the Welfare Department to work together
in providing a Centre for persons suffering from various forms of
handicap, both physical and mental. The Centre has regular sessions
five days per week.
SHORT-TERM CARE
During the year, the Authority provided periods of short-term
care in 31 cases, compared with 28 cases in 1968. This is an illustration
of the increased demand made for the facilities when their
availability is known to those families in need.
OTHER FORMS OF MENTAL DISORDER
Cases dealt with by Mental Welfare Officers
During the year 529 cases were referred to the Mental Welfare
Officers for attention and 316 other cases were admitted to mental
hospitals through the Mental Health Service.
The following table gives details:—
| Males Under | Males Over | Females Under | Females Over | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | 65 | 60 | 60 | Total | |
| Admitted informally | 58 | 9 | 54 | 30 | 151 |
| Admitted under Section 25 (for observation) | 17 | 4 | 20 | 14 | 55 |
| Admitted under Section 26 (for treatment) | 7 | 4 | 1 | 12 | |
| Admitted under Section 29 (for observation in case of emergency) | 31 | 5 | 37 | 9 | 82 |
| Admitted under Section 60 (by the Courts) | 1 | - | - | - | 1 |
| Admitted under Section 136 (in conjunction with the Police) | 10 | 1 | 4 | - | 15 |
| Totals | 124 | 19 | 119 | 54 | 316 |