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35
may also be an elderly relative living with the family for whose health
and happiness they are all responsible. In a town like Croydon families
live in close proximity to their neighbours; they are part of a compact
community inevitably involved in community health problems. In schools
interest in health education is growing, but to be really effective school
staffs must have co-operation from parents. In covering these and other
aspects of general health education, toddler discussion groups meet an
essential need.
In-Service Training
(1) Mental HealthTwo courses of basic lectures in psychiatry were
given in the late autumn 1965 and early spring 1966 by Dr. J.D.W. Fisher,
Consultant Psychiatrist, Warlingham Hospital and Dr. G. Crosse, Consultant
Psychiatrist the Child Guidance Clinic. The lectures had been
specially requested by the staff and were attended by assistant medical
officers, midwives, district nurses and health visitors who found them
most helpful.
(2) Communication between DepartmentsGroups of child care officers,
health visitors and mental welfare social workers, chaired by the principal
health education officer met during three successive weeks to discuss
and explain their respective roles when dealing with common problems.
Each week a different aspect of work was chosen and a representative
from each group was asked to give a short introduction to the subject,
e.g.
First week What can be done to help socially inadequate families?
Second week: The effects of mental disorders in parents and their
children.
Third week: What might be done to prevent the break-up of families, with
particular reference to the powers of the Children's Department under
Section I of the 1963 Act.
Some of the recommendations suggested by the groups were an extension
of the home help service, extension of day nursery facilities and
regular multidisciplinary staff meetings to help communication between
departments.
Home Help Training Course
Help was given with the above course inaugurated this year (See
P. 32). This was a most stimulating experience; excellent training much
of which is basic health education is being given and the tremendous
enthusiasm and hard work of Miss Heath, Home Help Supervisor and her
staff has been a tonic to the whole department.