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15. HEALTH EDUCATION
This work is undertaken under Section 28 of the National Health Service Act, 1946,
which permits the local authority to make arrangements for the purpose of the
prevention of illness.
Although specific arrangements are made to deal with situations which achieve a
temporary extra importance, such as the campaign which precedes the introduction
of a new vaccine, health education is basically a continuing and painstaking process.
It thus forms a large part of the work of the doctors and health visitors and other
members of the Health Department staff. A divisional health visitor has been
appointed to assist in the co-ordination and development of health education in the
clinics and schools. A number of health visitors have taken a special training in
order to obtain the "Teaching Methods in Health Education" certificate of the
Health Visitors' Association. Aids to health education which are widely used
include posters advising on the importance of immunisation, home safety, the effect
of smoking on health and the care of the teeth.
All clinics run classes for expectant mothers who are instructed in breathing and
relaxation in preparation for child birth. The film “To Janet—A Son” is shown
at evening discussion groups to which both prospective parents are invited. In
addition, advice and information is given to the expectant mother about her own
health and how she can best deal with her baby when it arrives.
An increasing number of talks is being given to school children on preparation for
life ahead and sex education. At the other end of the scale, talks on health in later
years are given to groups in local firms as part of a pre-retirement course.
Special attention is given to the immigrant population in the Southall area. This
includes visual displays and film strips on subjects of general health importance and
talks on matters such as food hygiene. Special mothercraft classes are held for
immigrant mothers.
VENEREAL DISEASE
Instruction on the dangers of venereal disease remains important and necessary.
A film strip entitled “Venereal Disease” is shown to selected groups of secondary
school girls and followed by discussion.
SMOKING
The problem of smoking and the health hazards that it entails will probably be
solved only by preventing succeeding generations of school children from taking up
the habit. Films such as “Smoking and You” and “The Smoking Machine” are
shown in some secondary modern schools and are followed by discussions. It is
hoped to show one of these films in junior schools in the near future. Apart from
our own clinics, sites used for anti-smoking posters include all public libraries,
youth clubs, an employment exchange and a number of general practitioners'
surgeries.
HOME SAFETY
Home Safety remains of great importance, particularly to the very young and the
elderly. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has inaugurated a
Home Safety Area Council to which this authority agreed to belong and the Chairman
of the Personal Health Services Committee and a Principal Medical Officer of the
Health Department have been appointed as representatives to serve on this Council.
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