View report page

143
During the year talks were given by the medical and nursing staff to various
organisations, including parent-teachers associations, women's guilds and old people's
clubs. One health visitor was employed almost exclusively on health education.
Activities included the preparation of exhibits on home safety, to which special attention
was given.
Special schemes continued in operation whereby officers of the Borough Councils
gave talks to school children on milk and food hygiene. Within the limits of the time
which the officers can devote to the work it is clear that the schemes were successful.
These subjects were also discussed by the school nursing staff during the course of
mothercraft talks.
Health
education
Child
neglect
A conference was held in February between officers of the Council and representatives
of organisations concerned with the welfare of children. Neglect, ill-treatment
and juvenile delinquency were discussed, and a general understanding was reached on
the maintenance of a standing committee on child neglect and of a divisional index of
cases.
Welfare of
old persons
Although the combined efforts of the medical staff, health visitors, district nurses
and home helps achieved a considerable measure of success in attending to the needs of
old people, new problems arose every day, and elderly persons living alone and in a
state of neglect often coupled with ill-health, were the source of much anxiety.
Co-operation
Close co-operation was maintained with individual doctors, the local division of
the British Medical Association and the staff of hospitals situated within the division
and elsewhere. Similarly, the effectiveness of school health work was enhanced by the
close co-ordination which existed between the divisional staff and the staff of the
schools and the Divisional Officer of the Education Officer's department.
Organisation
I made brief reference last year to the importance of team work in all forms of
public health administration and practice and to the fact that I had received the greatest
possible help and co-operation in our work. I should like to say again how I have
appreciated the support and assistance I have received from everyone concerned with
the health and welfare of the people in this area, both members of committees and
officer colleagues. In particular, I should like to thank my two senior medical colleagues,
the Divisional Nursing Officer, the Divisional Administrative Officer, and the Divisional
Treatment Organiser. Without their loyal, conscientious and unstinted support it would
be impossible to carry out the work in this area with success.