Annual report 1954-1955 : Exminster Hospital, Digby Hospital, Wonford House Hospital / Devon Mental Hospital Management Committee.

  • Devon Mental Hospital Management Committee.
Date:
[1955?]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Annual report 1954-1955 : Exminster Hospital, Digby Hospital, Wonford House Hospital / Devon Mental Hospital Management Committee. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DEVON MENTAL HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE The Management Committee has pleasure in presenting its report for the year ending 31st March, 1955. The constitution of the Committee remained unchanged during the year covered by this report, but we were glad to welcome Mrs. Nichols, with her valuable experience as Chairman of the Health Services Committee of the Exeter City Council, as an additional member. We regret to record the deaths of two members of Sub- Committees — Major H. C. Gould and Mr. Robert Lawrence. Major Gould, who had been a member of the Exminster Committee and of the Works Sub-Committee in the days before the National Health Service Act continued as a member of the House Committee, where his specialised knowledge was ahvays gladly made available. Mr. Lawrence served on the Farms Committee and eventually succeeded Mr. Maddicott as Chairman. Mr. E. T. Linscott, another member of the old Exminster Committee, felt compelled to resign his membership of the House Committee. We are grateful to him for his long service (he had been a member since 1922) and wish him many more years to enjoy his retirement. From April 1st, 1955, Mrs. Goodman, a City Councillor, has become a member of the Digby-Wonford House Committee. We extend her a hearty w^elcome. The various Committees have met regularly during the year and there have been meetings of the Joint Staff Consultative Committees when appropriate matters w^ere referred to them. In July, 1954, we received a report compiled by the Regional Hospital Board's Medical Officers on the development of the Psychiatric Services in the Exeter Clinical Area. In October, 1954, we met the Medical Officers of the Board and recommended that, on the retirement of Dr. Mullin from Wonford House, the Digby and Wonford House Hospitals should be combined under the Medical Superintendence of Dr. J. Russell. This w^as approved by the Regional Board and we are glad to have the services of Dr. B. V. Earle as Consultant Psychiatrist. New facilities for out-patient treatment are being provided at Wonford House Hospital and we hope that the clinic will soon be in operation. Shortage of accommodation and lack of Nursing Staff are still the chief anxieties of the Committee.