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104
infectious diseases and by asking certain hospitals to extract information about outpatients
attending for treatment as a result of accidents in the home. The inauguration
of an analysis on the lines suggested would be a task of some magnitude but as a first
step it is proposed to investigate the possibility of obtaining some samples so as to judge
the need to consider the extension of all or any of the recommended methods.
Another recommendation, for the holding of a series of one-day training courses on
home accident prevention as part of the normal post-entry training carried out for the
Council's nursing staff will be implemented and it is intended to offer places to the
borough medical officers of health for their staff. One person in each division will be
responsible to the divisional medical officer for continuous effort in the prevention of
home accidents.
Consideration is being given to the inclusion of talks on the prevention of home
accidents in the syllabuses of classes in mothercraft, domestic science and education in
citizenship.
The working party felt that additional exhibition and demonstration material,
including working models showing the causes of home accidents, should be provided.
In point of fact three working models showing three common causes of accidents in
the home (falling down stairs, non-provision of a fireguard and pulling cloth off table)
have been acquired from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. These
have been shown in some of the welfare centres and also at the recent mothercraft
exhibition in the Central Hall, Westminster.
The working party felt that an annual intensive campaign should be held to supplement
the everyday effort and consideration is being given to this. The need to continue
to bear in mind the importance of home safety in the designing, erection and management
of houses and flats was emphasised by the working party and the subject is being
discussed with the chief officers concerned, bearing in mind the Heating Appliances
(Fireguards) Act, 1952. The co-operation of voluntary associations should be sought
in publicising these problems and this will be done at divisional level.
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
the council's Health Committee, which is charged by the Council with the control
of the mental health services, has a Mental Health Sub-Committee which deals with
all matters relating to mental health, except those concerned with policy and staff.
Staff
The equivalent of approximately three full-time medical officers are employed on mental
deficiency work. All the medical officers engaged on this work, who include a principal
medical officer and a senior assistant medical officer, are specially experienced in mental
deficiency and all also carry out other medical duties in the Council's general and school
health services. Five women inspectors (including one senior inspector) are employed
on the work of ascertainment and guardianship of mentally deficient persons. The
inspectors either possess a social science certificate or have had considerable experience
in dealing with mentally deficient persons over a period of many years. Twenty-eight
women social workers (including the psychiatric social worker already mentioned),
almost all of whom possess a social science certificate or diploma, are employed on the