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of local hospitals, voluntary organisations, the Ministry of Social Security, and the
Housing, Welfare and Health Departments met on 1st January, 1968. As a result
of this meeting, full co-ordination of voluntary and statutory agencies was achieved
to give practical help to all cases of suspected hypothermia.
A store of bagged fuel is available through the Welfare Department to meet
urgent short-term need in circumstances where other supplies are not immediately
available.
The British Red Cross Society provide kits containing blankets, hot water
bottles and a thermos flask for hot beverages.
To reduce as far as possible the incidence of this condition, elderly people are
persuaded, where necessary, to conserve heat by temporary use of the living room
for sleeping. The British Red Cross Society assists in moving beds downstairs
where this is expedient.
Towards the end of the year, detailed advice based on the arrangements agreed
earlier in the year was circulated to general practitioners, the Council's field staff
and associated agencies as a further measure of prevention.
No instances of morbidity or mortality due to hypothermia were reported.
Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies
Ministry of Health Circular 24/68 was received in June. In this Circular the
Minister referred to his previous request in 1965 that local health authorities should
make arrangements for the fluoridation of public water supplies, and stated that he
had decided to extend the terms of the indemnity which he is prepared to give to
local health authorities and water undertakings. The previous indemnity against
costs arising from proceedings on the ground of injury to health was limited to
action started before August, 1970, because it was expected that fluoridation would
be common practice by then. This time limit is now removed altogether.
The Metropolitan Water Board hold the view that the time is not opportune
to decide their policy as there is still a minority of opinion in the Greater London
area opposed to fluoridation but have called for a full report on the financial,
legal and medical considerations involved, and it is expected that this report will
be before the Board early in the new year.
For practical purposes, therefore, the situation remains unchanged from 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.
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