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164
taken place with representatives of the medical authorities concerned and it was
considered that it could best be dealt with in the general context of health education.
As a result, the leaflet for school leavers already mentioned has been prepared and a set
of notes was provided for the use of staff of the department as a basis for talks, etc. By
the end of 1958, when a number of other projects were under consideration, the general
attitude appeared to have changed to one favouring some aspects of specific cancer
education.
A handbook has been prepared and is issued to general practitioners in London,
social workers and to other persons who need to have a comprehensive reference to the
Council's health services. It consists of a section giving general information about the
centrally and divisionally organised services which are common to the whole of London
with an appendix, giving details of actual clinics, etc., for each of the nine administrative
divisions.
Opportunities are taken of obtaining general publicity by putting out releases to the
press on subjects which it is thought likely will prove of interest and which should be
brought widely to the notice of the London public. Releases dealing with the business
transacted are sent to the editors of newspapers circulating in their locality following
the meeting of divisional health committees.
In-servicc
training
A suggested series of one day training courses for nursing staff on home accidents
has not been pursued, because it has been necessary to give in-service training a broader
basis as the time that can be given to any one aspect is limited. In-service training has
been arranged over the whole period of review to assist health department staff in their
health education assignments. Some courses have been organised and carricd out by the
Council's staff and others have been provided with outside assistance. Over the last
five years a large number of courses have been run by the Central Council for Health
Education on a wide variety of subjects under its in-service training programme for
local authorities. The Medical Director and his colleagues have held courses centrally
and at divisional establishments, benefiting considerably the staff who have attended.
Members of the medical, nursing and lay staff have also been sent to conferences,
seminars and summer schools promoted by voluntary organisations concerned with
the various aspects of health education.
There has been an increase both in the scope of health education generally and in
those aspects requiring special attention. Whilst much has been done to meet the
situation, it is faced by a number of problems of particular difficulty which will continue
to claim the attention and tax the ingenuity of the staff concerned.
Invalid Meals for London—With the approval of the Minister of Health the Council since
1950 has made an annual grant to the Invalid Meals for London, a voluntary organisation
providing meals for invalids and sick people in the whole or part of 14 of the
metropolitan boroughs. The meals, which are supplied only on the production of a
medical certificate, are served at dining rooms attached to the five kitchens or delivered
by motor van to the homes of patients unable to attend. (See page 41 for details of
service provided in 1958.)
School health service
The administrative changes brought about by the National Health Service had little
effect on the school health service except that, in the early days after July, 1948, as result
of the offer of services free of charge formerly paid for by the patient, there was for
example delay in the provision of glasses for school children.
Section 48 of the Education Act, 1944, placed upon the education authority the duty
of ensuring that a fully comprehensive free medical treatment service was available for
school pupils. Treatment was available not only at school treatment centres but at the
Council's wide range of hospitals and at the large number of voluntary hospitals, clinics
and dispensaries which had contractual arrangements with the Council. Thus for over
three years before the National Health Service Act came into operation hearing aids,