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GENERAL SERVICES
HEALTH EDUCATION
The first Expert Committee, reporting in 1954, defined the aims of Health
Education simply as
(1) to make health a valued community asset;
(2) to equip the individual with knowledge and skills and to change attitudes
and behaviour so that he could solve many of his own health problems; and
(3) to promote the development of the Health Service.
Recently the Expert Committee on Research in Health Education offered a much
more elaborate and sophisticated definition, i.e. that health education concerns 'all those
experiences of an individual group, or community that influences beliefs, attitudes and
behaviour with respect to health' and therefore needs a multidisciplinary approach.
Health Education in Clinics
In all clinics, information on child care, care of the elderly and healthy living
generally is available to the public.
Expectant Parent Groups
Classes in psychophysical preparation for childbirth are held in a number of
clinics, conducted mainly by Health Visitors and/or Midwives, using visual material i.e.
hand-out material, slides, films and other media. Where possible, husbands are encouraged
to participate in at least one of the classes.
The childbirth film 'Barnet' was shown 12 times during the year for expectant
parents.
Mother Discussion Groups
This aspect of health education functions well in some clinics, but need development
elsewhere. Where these groups have functioned there has been lively discussion
over a variety of subjects in which Health Education staff have been frequently involved.
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