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Post-entry training—The heavy programme of in-service instruction included induction
courses for social workers, school and clinic nurses, and special courses for nursing staff
carrying out health education talks and audiometric tests in schools. Occasional meetings
and lectures were held on such subjects as vaccination and immunisation, autistic children,
visual defects and thalidomide babies. Of particular topicality was a study afternoon on
venereal diseases attended by over 450 people, including members of the Council and staff
in the Education Officer's and Children's departments in addition to the health visitors
for whom it was originally intended. The department also collaborated with St. Thomas's
hospital in arranging a one.day conference on chronic bronchitis for chest physicians and
divisional medical staff.
Refresher training—In line with the policy of providing, as far as possible, refresher
training every five years for each officer of the medical, health visiting, school nursing and
midwifery staff, courses were provided through professional bodies such as the Society of
Medical Officers of Health, the British Post.Graduate Medical Federation, the Royal
College of Nursing, the Central Council for Health Education and the Royal College of
Midwives. The department itself organised a three.day residential refresher course for day
nursery matrons and courses for other day nursery staff were provided by the Northwestern
Polytechnic.
Training for qualifications—A total of 20 social workers were given financial assistance
and paid leave to attend long.term professional courses which began in the autumn.
Most of those seconded were employed in the field of mental health and are dealt with in
that section of my report.
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