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became the special responsibility also of the Principal Nursing
Officer and a Senior Administrative Assistant. The post of Principal
Medical Officer (Health Education and Administration) was
filled in October by the appointment of Dr. Michael Church.
In the last two months of the year a start was made at assessing
priorities and discussing practical possibilities for health education.
There was active participation in the preparing of publicity material
for forthcoming campaigns in Family Planning and Cervical
Cytology.
Health education forms an integral part of the work of all health
personnel, since all have the opportunity to influence those with
whom they come into contact. Some, such as health visitors, have
training in health education and arrange sessions for teaching
various groups. During the year there were nearly 1.000 health
education sessions led by health visitors or nurses in child health
centres, mothers' clubs, old people's clubs and schools.
A two-day Health Conference and Exhibition was held at Garnett
College at the end of March, 1971. Nursing staff from the Health
Department prepared and manned an exhibit about the services
and functions of the Health Department in the community. This
was very much appreciated by the organisers and the many people
who visited the stand.
Schools
Health visitors give talks in schools in the Borough by invitation
and altogether more than 100 sessions were held during the year.
In addition, the Inner London Education Authority Health Education
Team have continued to visit schools but their coverage is
inevitably limited in view of their heavy commitments throughout
the Inner London area.
Care of old people
Old people, despite all the services available, often do not avail
themselves until they become very ill. The health visitor has a
unique opportunity to reach old people and discover needs before
they become too serious. The link between the health visitor, the
home nurse and the family doctor is obviously essential for the
effective care of old people in their homes and to encourage this
liaison the system of G.P. attachment is being tried out in the
Borough. With the many different services relating to old people
the role of co-ordination and co-operation becomes vital if their
various needs are to be met. Besides health visiting and home
nursing the Health Department also provides home bathing services
and chiropody for old people.