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7
The Health Education Officer developed group instruction
techniques, and projects, both for mothers of young children and
in the schools. The connection between the smoking of tobacco
and cancer of the lung is always included in discussions on
Community Health. It was not thought to be an opportune time
for any special campaign on this subject. 1961 will provide
results from a 10-year prospective survey on members of the
medical profession and these may provide a suitable National
background to make further local efforts worthwhile.
It was a somewhat difficult year for the Ambulance Service.
Temporary staffing difficulties and heavy calls brought inevitable
delays in dealing with routine journeys. The rising
traffic density increased the calls made upon the Accident
service and impeded its response. Emergency cover for the
northern part of the Borough was strengthened to meet these
worsening conditions.
A new Chiropody service was successfully introduced and is
described in detail in the main report.
Co-operation with Hospitals and General Practitioners was
further developed by the setting up of a Maternity Liaison
Committee to consider the Cranbrook Report on Obstetric Services
The Hospital Management Committee commenced the experiment of
follow-up Out Patient clinics in the New Addington area, and
were given accommodation in Corporation premises. Discussions
were commenced with the Regional Hospital Board for a joint
appointment of a Geriatrician. The constant interchange between
the Corporation's Old Peoples' Hostels and the Geriatric
Hospital should greatly benefit from such unified medical
supervision. A scheme for the interchange of Paediatric House
Officers and Assistant Medical Officers of Health was also
approved. The Regional Hospital Board invited members of the
Health Committee to attend for discussion on Mental Health
planning. The Regional Hospital Board also invited the Medical
Officer of Health to serve as one of the co-opted medical
representatives of local health authorities on the Mental Health
Sub-Committee of the Board.
Special arrangements for the nursing of sick children at
home were reviewed, after the issue in 1959, of a Circular letter
from the Ministry of Health. As there were close working arrangements
between Hospital Almoners, District Nurses and Health
Visitors, it was decided that these duties were fully covered.