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VI MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES, ETC.
ACCIDENTS IN THE HOME
Inquests were held during the year on 7 fatalities in the borough arising from accidents
which occurred in the home.
The powers and duties of the Council under the Home Safety Act 1961, relating to the
dissemination of information and advice for promoting safety in the home and encouraging proper
precautions against accidents, are exercisable by the Health Committee.
Health Education for the prevention of home accidents has continued throughout the year,
with particular reference both to those groups at greatest risk and to the most prevalent causes.
Re-emphasis of the campaign to show the dangers of oil heaters which commenced last year
has been continued this year with the inclusion of the filmstrip in school programmes, the loan
of the filmstrip to Mothers' Groups and by means of house to house visiting in the mainly
immigrant areas during the Christmas holidays. It is felt that points missed for one reason or
another during home visits will have been finally assimilated by families by the issue of
leaflets in the vernacular or by talks in schools.
Talks to groups of senior citizens accompanied by a small film have also been given during
the year and particularly during the winter months.
Advantage was taken of the greater impact of personal contact in prevention of accidents
through more group discussions and films on the subject, with a consequent saving on posters
and leaflets, the value of which in the field of preventive work is still regarded by some as
doubtful in relation to the cost involved.
AMBULANCE FACILITIES
The Greater London Council is responsible under Section 27 of the National Health Service
Act 1946 for the provision of ambulance transport in the area:
AUTHENTICATION OF INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATES
OF VACCINATION AND INOCULATION
Persons proceeding abroad are required in certain countries to produce a certificate of
recent successful vaccination and/or inoculation, and in addition the signature of the
vaccinating doctor must be verified by the medical officer of health of the district. During
the year 4,170 signatures on certificates were verified as those of medical practitioners practising
in the borough and the certificates endorsed accordingly.
CONFERENCES
Conferences and courses attended by members of the Council and/or officers of the department
are summarised on pages 123 to 131.
DECEASED PERSONS
Inquests
Inquests were held on 80 residents of the borough during the year, the verdicts being 14
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