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Recuperative Holidays
This scheme provides holidays for persons who are recovering from illness
or operation but who do not require nursing care. Normally, application is made
by general practitioners on behalf of their patients, who make some contribution
towards the cost according to their means. Except in special cases the period of
the stay is limited to two weeks. The majority of holiday homes used are situated
on the south coast.
During the year 111 adults had a holiday and were observed to have derived
definite benefit from their stay.
Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies
In 1966 the council supported the London Boroughs Committee in their
approach to the Minister of Health for the introduction of legislation enabling the
fluoridation of water supplies to be decided nationally. The Minister was not then
prepared to accede to their wishes.
The Metropolitan Water Board still adhere to the view that the time is not
opportune to decide their policy as there is still no unanimity of opinion among
the local health authorities in the area of their supply.
Of the 33 local health authorities wholly or partly within the board's area of
supply, 23 Greater London Boroughs and one County Council have notified the
board that they are in favour of a policy of fluoridation. Six Greater London
Boroughs and one County Council are opposed. The remaining authorities, both
County Councils, had not reached a final decision at the end of the year.
For practical purposes, therefore, the position is unchanged since my previous
report.
HEALTH EDUCATION
Under Section 179 of the Public Health Act, 1936, a local authority may
arrange for the provision of health education in its area. Proposals made under
Section 28 of the National Health Service Act, 1946, provide for health education
for the area in consultation and co-operation with the Central Council for Health
Education and for agreed payments to the Central Council in consideration of its
services.
In February, the Minister of Health announced his acceptance of the Cohen
Committee's recommendations that a new and stronger central organisation for
health education should be established, and he therefore proposed to set up a new
Health Education Council. Baroness Serota was subsequently named as Chairman
of the Health Education Council which during 1968 will take over responsibility
from the Central Council for Health Education.
Health education is part of the day-to-day activities of the professional and
technical staff. The health education organiser provides these officers with the
technical assistance and expertise required to execute the various health education
projects. In the field of publicity we have continued to enjoy the co-operation of
Mr. A. W. Bax, the council's Press and Publicity Officer.
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