[Report 1970] / Medical Officer of Health, Halifax County Borough.

  • Halifax (England). County Borough Council. nb2008024085.
Date:
1970
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1970] / Medical Officer of Health, Halifax County Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    33/164 (page 31)
    MENTAL HEALTH There was a slight decrease in numbers during 1970. Of the 1,357 (1.499 in 1969), 401 were first referrals. Admissions to hospitals were also less, 374 as against 452 in 1969. The number of compulsory admissions, 136, was less than the previous year (146). The staff of Mental Welfare Officers was increased by two during the second half of the year and as a result the number of visits made increased to 5,485 compared with 4,499 in 1969. The majority of patients were referred by general practitioners, hospitals and out-patient clinics. There was excellent liaison. The attachment of Mental Welfare Officers to certain practices proved beneficial. The care of the mentally disordered in Halifax was of a high standard supported by our Consultant Psychiatrists who made the work rewarding. Hospital treatment was provided at Storthes Hall and St. Luke’s Hospitals, Huddersfield, and the Psychiatric Unit at the Halifax General Hospital had not come into use by the end of 1970. Treatment locally will relieve some of the time-consuming journeys to Huddersfield. At the end of the year 202 mentally sub-normal persons were listed and many problems to parents and relatives were resolved. At Westwood and Stansfield View Hospitals a number of persons were able to be assessed without hospitalisation. Relief was given to others by short-term care. Discharge to the community could not be fulfilled owing to insufficient residential accommodation being available. This is a field for expansion. However, this does not mean that the type of care which the local people are able to provide is necessarily less effective and the development of‘Mayfield’ is being followed with interest and the department has been able to oiler advice and guidance. The accommodation will be welcome. The Special Care Unit attached to the Furness Park Training Centre was of considerable help during the year, not only for the child in special need but for relief to the parents. The health plan was to extend this service. In a number of cases the preparatory training undertaken in the Unit eases the entry into the Training Centre and transfer of adults will make room for twenty special care cases. The new era of Education Department control in 1971 will at least eliminate for all time the impression that the mentally handicapped are under-privileged. Plans to transfer to education will bring considerable relief and comfort to the parents who will feel that they are getting equal facilities with children of normal intelligence. Training of the adult mentally handicapped persons is good but the Training Centre at Chatham Street w'ill cater for greater numbers. This will replace the overcrowded premises at Furness Park Training Centre. The new Social Services Department will reap the benefit of careful preparation over a prolonged period. After an extensive period of closure owing to the retirement