Annual report of the Board of Control : 9th, 1922.

Date:
1922
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Annual report of the Board of Control : 9th, 1922. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    10/188 (page 2)
    (2) That the approval and supervision of places where such treatment might be given should be in the hands of a Government Department; and (3) That that Government Department should be the Board of Control. The Conference was also unanimousJy in favour of extending the system of Voluntary Boarders to the County and County Borough Mental Hospitals. Other subjects discussed were the organisation of research and pathological laboratories, the advisability of the inclusion of women members on Visiting Committees, and various matters connected with the Medical staff, the Nursing staff and the patients. Three Departmental Committees were subsequently set up—one to consider and report on matters relating to the training and qualifications of the Nursing staff—a second to deal with the dietary of patients and its possible improve¬ ment—and a third to suggest any improvements which are possible in the keeping of the clinical and other records. The reports of these Committees will, we hope, be ready for publication at an early date. We are convinced that the policy of holding from time to time conferences with representatives of Visiting Committees and the Medical Superintendents is a good one. Such conferences afford an opportunity for discussion of many matters of importance and difficulty and are of value in assisting all who are engaged or interested in Lunacy Administration to keep themselves fully informed of the directions in which progress can and ought to be made. In December, 1921, the Minister of Health appointed a Departmental Committee consisting of Sir Cyril Cobb, K.B.E., M.V.O., M.P., Chairman, Dr. R. Percy Smith, F.R.C.P., and Dr. Bedford Pierce P.R.C.P., to investigate and report on the charges made by Dr. Lomax in his book (The Experiences of an Asylum Doctor) and to make recommendations as to any medical or administrative improvement which may be necessary and practicable in respect of the matters referred to by Dr. Lomax without amendment of the existing lunacy laws.” In August, 1922, the Committee issued their Report. The Report disposes in the main of the allegations which have been made against the administration of public mental hospitals and contains a number of valuable recommendations. The Report is published as a State document and can be obtained from H.M. Stationery Office.