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aspect which is, no doubt, receiving the attention both of the
Government and the various agencies concerned with their production
A comprehensive exhibition of domestic heating appliances
in relation to clean air is in course of preparation by the
Council at the time of writing.
The problem of health education of the public in connection
with the declaration of smokeless zones is another matter which
introduces the problem of staffing, and indeed, this applies to
health education in general.
In my 1954 Report I stated "A good case could be made for
the appointment of a Health Education Officer to serve the
district or such wider area as appeared to be indicated" and I
am becoming more than ever convinced that such a development
may be necessary.. A comprehensive policy of health education is
a fairly costly matter and one of the main difficulties is the
fact that health education is regarded in governmental circles
as a matter for the Local Health Authority (The Kent County
Council) under Section 28 of the National Health Service Act,
1946, dealing with Prevention of Illness Care and After Care,
and it is often forgotten that county districts also have a
responsibility for this matter under Section 179 of the Public
Health Act, 1936. This dichotomy of function is a real stumbling
block from the point of view of instituting a full programme of
health education in the Urban District, The need to disseminate
accurate information on personal hygiene, on the prevention of
accidents in the home and on the principles of healthy living
in general, as well as on the nature and meaning of health, is
becoming one of the most important aspects of health administration.
This is dictated, not only by the needs of the individual
but by the need also for economy in the use of the National
Health Service, the cost of which is rising from year to year.
The work of the Bexley, Erith and Crayford Home Safety Committee
continued with the task of spreading information in
regard to causes and prevention of accidents in the home. The
Rotary Club of Bexley, during the year, presented an exhibition
stand to this Committee which is being used to disseminate
Propaganda in the form of leaflets and posters over the area,
the stand was made by the Staff and boys of the Westwood County
Secondary School, Welling, and our thanks are due both to the
Rotary club and the School for their help
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