News and Notes 

Juvenile Delinquency 

A few months ago, the N.A.M.H., represented by the Medical Director in the Chair, formed a Joint Convening Committee with representatives from the following organizations: British Psychological Society Howard League for Penal Reform Institute of Sociology Institute for the Scientific Treatment of Delinquency

Royal Medico-Psychological Association. The purpose of the Committee was to convene a conference , on The Scientific Study of Juvenile Delinquency. This was a direct result of paragraph ^ of a Memorandum issued jointly by the Home Office and Ministry of Education which indicated the need for organized scientific research as a Possible means of reducing the problem of juvenile crime.

The Conference, which was opened by Lord Feversham, took place on Saturday, October 1st, 1^49, at the Royal Institution, Albermarle Street, W.l, and was well attended by a widely representative audience. Mr. J. C. Maude, K.C., M.P., Presided over the morning session, and the afternoon session was under the chairmanship of Miss Margery Fry, M.A., J.P. The main speakers in jhe morning, whose papers dealt with “The Limits of Present Knowledge were Mr. Alec Rodger, M.A., of the British Psychological Society, Pr- Hermann Mannheim, Reader in Criminology, London School of Economics, and Dr J. D. W. ^earce, Medical Co-Director of the Portman Clinic, London. The discussion which followed was opened by Professor Barbara Wootton. In the afternoon, the subject of the papers was ” The Field for Future Research “, and the speakers Were Dr John Bowlby (Director, Child Guidance department, Tavistock Clinic), Professor T. S. oimey, M.A. (Department .of Social Science, University of Liverpool), and Dr Denis Carroll fMedical Co-Director of the Portman Clinic). rhe discussion was opened by Dr P. D. Scott. At the conclusion of the proceedings, the following resolution, proposed by Mrs. Madeleine Robinson, LP-, and seconded by Mr. Frank Dawtry (General Secretary of the National Association of Probation Officers) was passed:

” That this Conference, having discussed the Problem of juvenile delinquency, is convinced that effective preventive measures cannot be applied to the best advantage without more precise knowledge. To this end, the Conference recommends that large scale research be initiated in consultation with all the professions concerned. It welcomes Section 77 ?f the Criminal Justice Act and trusts that the provisions of the Act will be fully implemented.’’’’ A report on the conference proceedings is being printed and will be available on sale at 2s. 6d. per copy. Application should be made to: The Secretary, Convening Committee on Juvenile Delinquency, N.A.M.H., 39 Queen Anne Street, London, W.l. Essay Competition for Mental Nurses Night Charge Nurse Albert F. Day, of St. James’ Hospital,’ Portsmouth, was the winner of the First Prize (?3 3s. and a medal) in this year’s ” Lord ” Memorial Essay Competition for mental nurses (founded by the Society of the Crown of Our Lord in memory of the late Dr J. R. Lord, C.B.E., and administered by the National Association for Mental Health). The subject set for competitors was:

” The ways and means by which the Nurse can help the Patient to achieve the fullest possible practical and social re-adiustment” and in the opinion of the Judges, Nurse Day’s essay was of outstanding merit. It is published in full on page 40 of this issue. The second prize (?1 Is.) was awarded to Staff Nurse Marjorie Povey, R.M.P.A.(R.M.N.D.) of Darenth Park Colony, Dartford.

For the first time the competition was open to nurses employed in mental deficiency institutions, and candidates were able to deal with the subject either from the mental disorder or the mental deficiency aspect. The Judges reported that while in some cases competitors showed a. tendency to give an all-round description of the work of a nurse, without sufficient emphasis on the aspect of practical and social adjustment, on the whole the ideas presented, and the method of their expression, reached a high average level. They were also impressed by the well-informed, thoughtful and original ideas contained in certain of the essays. We offer our congratulations to the winners, and especially to Nurse Day who has competed on several occasions in the past and was awarded second prize in 1942.

” Milk in Schools “

In July, 1947, the ” Milk in Schools ” Scheme, hitherto only applicable to children actually attending a school or an Occupation Centre, was extended to children ” unable by reason of disability of mind or body ” to attend any school and not in attendance at a Centre. This provision meant that all mentally defective children were covered by the scheme except those in Institutions and for these, extra milk could only be obtained on an individual medical certificate in each case.

On discovering this anomaly, the National Association for Mental Health made representations to the Ministry of Health, and we are glad to be able to report that the matter has now been adjusted. Mentally defective children of school age resident in an Institution may receive milk at the rate of one-third of a pint every day for a seven-day week, irrespective of whether they attend an Occupation Centre or receive any other form of instruction.

Provision of Occupation Centres A Memorandum was issued in September by the Ministry of Health containing suggestions for the planning, construction and staffing of Occupation Centres for the information of local health authorities in implementing their Schemes under Sections 28 and 51 of the National Health Service Act. Full guidance is given in the Memorandum on such matters as the planning of new Centre buildings and adaptation of existing premises, and reference is made as to qualifications of staff, and as to the proportion of staff to children. It is, however, made clear that the ” final decision and responsibility for design ” is left to the local authority concerned, and that the extent to which the suggestions are adopted must be ” conditioned by local, circumstances, including resources available and the financial considerations involved in each case

Therapeutic Art and Social Clubs 

We have received an interesting account from Miss Swann, N.A.M.H. Regional Representative (N.E. Region) concerning two clubs recently set up in her area.

In April of last year, Miss Hogg, the Social Worker in charge of the Association’s sub-office in Middlesbrough, organized a meeting among after-care clients with a view to discussing with them the possibility of starting an art class. A small and enthusiastic group was formed which has met weekly ever since. The main organization has devolved upon Miss Hogg, and some teaching has been given by Mr. Dowdswell, late Warden of the Middlesbrough Settlement. Numbers have been well maintained, and there is a steady group which attends each week and which is sufficiently integrated to welcome with great ease any new members who come along.

The development of the art work has been most interesting to watch. None of the members in the club had ever done any art work before, and most of them passed easily from the stage of ” doodling” to imaginative productions. One member found that he did not like painting, but he learnt to do lettering and has become very expert in all the different forms of this art. Members now discuss their paintings quite freely and are prepared to give an explanation of their work. On two occasions during the past summer, sketching groups have gone out of doors, and these seemed to be of special help to the rather shy and hesitant member.

In Newcastle, a Social Club was started in February, 1948, under the joint auspices of St. Nicholas Hospital and the National Association for Mental Health. This has proved to be quite a success, and since July of last year the Club has been sponsored by St. Nicholas Hospital. It is attended by ex in-patients and out-patients, as well as by after-care clients known to the N.A.M. H. The Club meets weekly, and there is a steady nucleus of regular attenders who are an exceedingly happy group and make newcomers very welcome. Activities take the form of table tennis, card games, chess, paper and pencil games, and singing?the latter activity is extremely popular, and it was possible to arrange a Christmas carol evening last winter.

This club means a great deal to those who are shy and anxious, and it has been noticeable too how those who are somewhat withdrawn have been able to make a reasonably good social adjustment within the framework of the meeting. Mental Treatment and Mental Hospitals In the Annual Report of the Board of Control to the Lord Chancellor for the year 1948 (published by H.M. Stationery Office, price 4d. post free), mention is made of some of the effects on the Mental Health Services in England and Wales of the introduction of the National Health Service, particularly in regard to the question of disclaimer and designation of hospitals.

The Report explains that the designation of mental hospitals proceeded smoothly in spite of complications due to some public assistance institutions continuing to accommodate mental patients. There was still much sorting out to be done, and the Regional Hospitals Boards were working out their short term and long term policy. With regard to disclaimer, the main problem centred around the registered hospitals and, after consultation with the Regional Hospital Board concerned, the Minister of Health decided to disclaim the following: Manchester Royal Hospital, Cheadle, Cheshire; Barnwood House, Gloucester, St. Andrew’s Hospital, Northampton, and The Retreat, York. Bethlem Royal Hospital and the Maudsley now form a single combined unit which is designated as a teaching hospital. Its medical school forms the Institute of Psychiatry, a post-graduate institute in the British post-graduate Medical Federation of the University.

There was little change during 1948 in the number of persons under care under the Lunacy and Mental Treatment Acts compared with the previous year, i.e. 144,725, and 144,736 respectively, but one of the most serious problems continues to be overcrowding in mental hospitals due on the one hand to lack of accommodation, and, on the other, to shortage of nurses which caused no less than 2,689 beds to be out of use. While new building produced 105 beds during the year, shortages of materials and labour and financial considerations caused the postponement of further schemes designed to produce 2,600 additional beds.

The Report notes the increasing number of hospitals which are taking advantage of the concerts arranged by the Council for Music in hospitals (to which reference has been made in previous issues of this journal) and which are much appreciated by the patients. In this connection, a small sub-committee has been formed for experimental Work in music therapy in mental illness. Art classes for patients have also been started in some hospitals and are proving valuable. The Criminal Justice Act, 1948 In the current Report of the Prison Commissioners, a useful summary is given of the principal changes affecting the prison and Borstal system to be brought about by the new Act (at once or as a long-term policy). These include: Restrictions on the imprisonment of young Persons under 21.

The establishment of Detention Centres to be Used as one of the alternatives to imprisonment for offenders between the ages of 14 and 2Q (inclusive), which the Secretary of State has decided shall be the responsibility of the Commissioners *n consultation and co-operation with the Children’s department of the Home Office. The establishment of Attendance Centres for young offenders between the ages of 12 and 20 (inclusive), for which the Children’s Department ?f the Home Office will be responsible. The provision permitting young persons under 21, ^ho are sentenced to imprisonment for 3 months ?r more, to be released on a conditional licence, thus ensuring adequate after-care and supervision. The new or extended powers given to the Courts lor dealing with persistent offenders by means of: (?) “Corrective training ” to last from 2to4years. (?) Preventive Detention (for persons not less than 30 years of age) for terms of not less than 5 or more than 14 years.

January 1st, 1948, 5,743 would, on their next c?nviction, become eligible for the first, and 2,551 *?r the second?a substantial proportion of the convict population.

The Board of Control 

It is announced that on the retirement of Miss Ruth Darwin, C.B.E., from the public service, the King has been pleased, on the recommendation ?f the Minister of Health, to approve the appointment of Miss Isabel Wilson, M.D., F.R.C.P., ^?P.M., to be a Senior Commissioner and member of the Board of Control. Dr Wilson has for niany years been a member of the National Association for Mental Health and previously of Jts constituent bodies.

We feel we cannot let this announcement go by without some words of appreciation of the distinguished service rendered by Miss Darwin for the welfare of mental defectives and mental patients, during her long term of office as a member of the Board of Control. She was first appointed as a Commissioner of the Board in 1921, and, when following the Mental Treatment Act, 1930, the post of unpaid Commissioner was abolished, she became part-time Commissioner until 1932 when she succeeded the late Mrs. Pinsent as Senior Commissioner. Miss Darwin’s early years were spent in Cambridge, and it was there that her career of social service started when in a voluntary capacity she studied the problems of the mental defectives in the community and worked on their behalf. As many members will recall, Miss Darwin (now Mrs. Rees-Thomas) was for long actively associated with the Central Association for Mental Welfare, and has also given most valuable help as a member of the National Association for Mental Health. Although retiring from official life, it gives us great satisfaction to state that we may confidently expect to have her continued help and the benefit of her long experience.

” The Fountain “

We welcome a new contemporary in the shape of this lively monthly bulletin produced by the Fountain Group Hospital Management Committee. Already two issues have appeared. It is obvious that the enterprise will enrich the life of the Group and will, moreover, stimulate wider interest in the institutional care of mental defectives?too often looked upon as a dull, routine job, offering no inducements to the enterprising and the imaginative. In the Bulletin is incorporated news of the ” Friends of the Fountain so that cooperation between them and the hospital staff may be still more complete.

We understand that a few specimen copies of the Bulletin are available, and any reader who is interested is invited to communicate with the Secretary of the Editorial Committee, Fountain Hospital, Tooting Grove, London, S.W.I7. National Insurance Local Advisory Committees Questions connected with the National Insurance Act, in its application to mental defectives and other groups of handicapped persons, inevitably confront the mental health worker from time to time and the subject is one which is under discussion by the Mental Deficiency Sub-Committee of the N.A.M.H.

It has recently been announced that the Minister of National Insurance is setting up 230 National Insurance Local Advisory Committees, each to consist of about twenty members of whom six will represent employers and six employees. In addition there will be two or three representatives of local authorities and one or two of friendly societies. The Committees will then be asked to select four or five other persons ” with suitabl local knowledge” to complete their number, and local associations have been invited to put forward nominations. With this announcement is given a list of the twelve Regional Controllers appointed by the Ministry.

Patients in Mental Institutions 

A Circular (No. 95/49) issued by the Ministry of Health on October 15th is designed to meet the needs of insurable patients in mental hospitals and mental deficiency institutions and to institute a procedure which will involve a minimum amount of work for those in charge.

Readers interested in this matter should enquire at their local National Insurance Office for a copy of Form C.F.75, which sets out clearly the position with regard to contributions and benefits as applicable to the patients concerned.

Scottish Association for Mental Health 

At the Annual General Meeting of this Association, which took place in Edinburgh on October 10th, a new constitution was adopted and it was decided to substitute the word ” Health ” for ” Hygiene ” in the title of the Association. All communications should be addressed to the Interim Secretary, Scottish Association for Mental Health, 41 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, 2.

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