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HEALTH EDUCATION
Mr. R. Allen, M.A.P.H.I., M.I.H.E., Health Education Officer
This year has again seen a widening of activities as the section has grown in size and
acquired more equipment.
The scope of the work can be described as follows:—
(a) The giving of information about the health services available by means of
press releases, talks on the work of the department and the production and
periodic amendment of a Guide to the Health Services. This involves close
co-operation with the Borough Public Relations Officer.
(b) The arranging of talks, discussions, film, film-strip, slide and tape shows on the
many health and safety hazards and their prevention by immunisation, screening
procedures, proper exercise and diet and changes of habit etc. Posters and
pamphlets have been designed, produced and used with others available through
various interested organisations. Demonstrations.
(c) The arranging of in-service training lectures for staff.
(d) The periodical production and distribution of a 20-page Health Bulletin
(circulation 7,500).
Mental Health Week in 1968 was publicised in the local press and also by means of
posters and shop window displays. Talks were given and film shown on the subject
of mental health to senior pupils in local schools, and the Council's training centres
were opened to the public.
Assistance was given towards the production of the Dental Puppet Show mentioned
elsewhere in the report.
As the work of the section has become known there have been increasing requests
for talks, films, etc. in schools in addition to the regular sessions given by health
visitors. In connection with G.C.E. subjects involving biology, talks have been
requested showing the practical application of biology. The subject of family planning
has also been requested but has only been given after the pupils concerned have been
given a basic understanding of human reproduction.
The number of students and trainee-teachers calling for help or "projects" have
increased. It is particularly useful to be able to talk to future teachers, since they
can pass on health education to so many of their pupils. They can also see the help
that may be available to them through local authority health departments.
Talks on cervical cytology led to special sessions being arranged on the premises
of local industrial undertakings.
A Home Safety Officer was appointed early in the year and more talks were able
to be given on this subject. Health visitors and district nurses have referred 136 cases
for investigation where hazards, particularly concerning the misuse of oil-heaters
have been suspected. Two roads in the borough, largely consisting of houses in
multiple occupation, were visited on a house to house basis to discover home safety
hazards and give advice.
Late in 1968 an officer, of the Civil Defence organisation, was seconded to the
section. His knowledge of first-aid, home-nursing and resuscitation was immediately
put to good use and he gave demonstrations and talks on these subjects to schools,
mothers clubs etc.
The Health Education Section distributes technical periodicals to the staff and
through the Local Government Annotations Service (LOGA) arranges with the
Libraries Department for reprints or copies of technical articles to be available for
the staff on request. The small library held by the section is gradually being augmented,
but wherever possible text-books are obtained through the Library Service with
which a most useful liaison has been established.
A competition, open to Health Department staff was organised in September.
Individual and group entries were invited of posters, pamphlets, triptychs, mobiles
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