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For these reasons it has been concluded that the present arrangements whereby a
central pool of material is maintained which can be supplied to divisions for use in
arranging local displays is a better one. The pool has been augmented in many ways.
Consideration is at present being given to its further expansion by the addition of more
material and the possibility of adopting a simple standard display unit. It is felt that this
is a less costly and at the same time more effective way of stimulating local initiative
than by providing a set exhibition.
Film strip—A film strip dealing with the sensory development of the young child for
use by health visitors and other members of the staff throughout the service has been
made by members of the staff under the direction of the Divisional Nursing Officer of
Division 7. It is entitled Three Years and Five Senses and is designed to assist parents and
others responsible for the care of young children to encourage and assist the developing
senses by the provision of toys and other play materials and by the right kind of play
activity. It is felt that it may be useful to other authorities and negotiations are at present
in hand as a result of which the Central Council for Health Education may undertake to
market it on behalf of the Council.
Loan to other bodies—Health education in London is being furthered by lending
material on a variety of health subjects for exhibition by other authorities. The Council
has recently participated in an exhibition given by the Islington Metropolitan Borough
Council to celebrate the centenary of the anniversary of the first appointment of a medical
officer of health in that district. It also played a part in other exhibitions in Islington and
elsewhere. The Council hopes to reach a wider section of the public effectively by
continuing to take part in such exhibitions as opportunity occurs.
Safety handbook—With the approval of the Health Committee an illustrated safety
handbook has been prepared by a publishing firm for distribution to the public free of
charge through the Council's divisional health organisation. This in addition to giving
much useful information on the subject of home safety and safety generally also gives
particulars of the Council's health service.
The handbooks are prepared on a divisional basis but to facilitiate distribution a
separate edition is available for each metropolitan borough and some 72,000 handbooks
will have been distributed when publication is completed.
Safety in the Home campaigns
Safety week campaigns have been held for the whole county annually since 1954
and they will continue to be held on the same general lines.
Last year's campaign began on 5th November, 1956. Press publicity by way of
press releases was obtained on a wide scale and London newspapers gave approaching
300 inches of column space. The response of weekly, daily and evening newspapers
having regard to the calls upon column space occasioned by the troubled international
situation was generous. In addition more specialised publications also gave column space
as did a number of provincial newspapers. The Royal Society for the Prevention of
Accidents were able to arrange for a number of other authorities to hold campaigns at
the same time and took the opportunity of securing some press publicity.
On the opening night of the campaign, the medical officer of health was given the
opportunity of making a broadcast in the B.B.C. Town and Country programme on its
objects and the problems which are met in conducting education against accidents in the
home.
The co-operation of general practitioners, hospital management committees and
boards of governors, town clerks of metropolitan boroughs, midwives, district nurses
and moral welfare workers was readily forthcoming. Emphasis was placed on preventable
accidents to old people because, as has been said, old people arc the victims of an overwhelming
majority of fatal and non-fatal accidents. Old People's Welfare Committees
were circulated and made a number of suggestions which in turn were passed to divisional
medical officers and to the district nursing associations for their practical guidance.
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