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5
Conferences.
The Council were officially represented at the under-mentioned conferences dealing with matters
within the purview of the Public Health Department :—
Conference
Royal Society of Health—Blackpool 24th-28th
April.
Association of Public Health Inspectors—
Bournemouth 19th-22nd September.
National Society for Clean Air—Brighton 4th-6th
October.
Conference of the Central Consultative Committee
on the Welfare of Old People—London County
Hall 14th July.
Delegates
Alderman Captain R.G. Whitney.
The Medical Officer of Health.
Mr. V.A. Bignell, Senior Public Health
Inspector.
Councillor Dr. H.K. Ashworth.
The Medical Officer of Health.
Councillor Mrs. F.E. Glenny.
Miss M. M. Sharp, M.B.E., Public Health
Inspector.
Financial Contributions to Voluntary Organisations.
Payments to the funds of voluntary bodies were, on the recommendation of the Public Health
Committee, made by the Council during 1961, as follows:—
Organisation £ s. d. Statutory Authority
Central Council for Health Education 12 14 0 Public Health (London) Act, 1936,
section 298.
Family Welfare Association (Area 2) 75 0 0 Local Government Act, 1948,
section 136.
St. Marylebone Youth Committee 125 0 0 do.
National Society for Clean Air 8 8 0 Public Health (London) Act, 1936,
section 298.
St. Marylebone Old People's Welfare Association— National Assistance Act, 1948,
" Meals on Wheels " Service, etc. 820 0 0 section 31.
Assisted Holidays Scheme 450 0 0 do.
" Inner Wheel " Old People's Club—Rent of Hall 30 0 0 do.
Women's Voluntary Services 40 0 0 do.
Health Education.
The importance of this subject is becoming increasingly recognised. In the Public Health
Department its practice falls mainly into two channels, namely: the spreading of information by
informal personal contact, and education by means of posters, pamphlets, bookmarks and other visual
media. The first is undoubtedly the more effective and a great deal remains to be done in this field.
The presence of so many different agencies involved in health education emphasises the need for
close co-operation between them in order to avoid duplication of their work and to make the best use
of available resources.
It is amongst school children that basic principles can be taught most easily and profitably, and the
subject should be included in the school curriculum. Next there are youth clubs, boy scouts, girl
guides and other groups of young people for whom film lectures are suitable and valuable. Amongst
workers, food handlers form a special group. Despite difficulties, particularly affecting the smaller
firms, in releasing staff during normal hours, courses of instruction in food hygiene are essential and
have the greatest chance of success when they form a part of recognised training and are held during
the employer's time.
Every encouragement should also be given to the various adult clubs and institutions, particularly
those for old people, to use lecture services made available to them by the Council. Health Departments
can make a valuable contribution in this respect as they have a wealth of knowledge and
experience to draw upon. Prevention is not only better than cure but it is also cheaper. Prevention
lies to a great extent in right thinking and there is a real need for health education activities to be
expanded and the services available to the public made more widely known.
Care of Old People.
The number of old persons registered in the Department is as follows:—
Bachelors or widowers 151
Single women or widows 977
Married persons living together 260
1,388