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PERSONAL HEALTH
However, it is the local health authority which is empowered to make arrangements for the adaptation
of the home. Special electric wiring and plumbing may be needed, and in some cases it may be
necessary to build an extension to the house. Applications were received from hospitals for adaptations
for this purpose to be made at the homes of five patients. The necessary work was authorised in
each case.
Fluoridation of
public water
supplies
There has been no significant change in the position since my previous reports.
It appears that artificial fluoridation of public water supplies, which is favoured by the Council,
will not come about until all the local authorities in the area supplied by the water undertakings
reach agreement, or until a decision is made by the Government to be implemented nationally.
Health education
For most of the year the post of Health Education Officer was vacant. Nevertheless, all requests for
lectures, films and materials have been met. Much of the work was in secondary schools, information
being requested on such subjects as first aid, contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, antismoking
and human relationships. Often these were dealt with not as individual topics, but as part of
a course, with each topic leading on to the next.
Junior schools and Girl Guides have co-operated with us in producing interesting displays on such
topics as anti-smoking, safety with fire and fireworks, and safety in the home. These have been
exhibited in the display cabinet outside the Health Office.
The activities of the Health Education Section have included talking to women's groups on several
subjects including nutrition, contraception, and breast cancer.
Commercial firms within the borough continue to use the facilities available and ask for help in
arranging lectures for their employees, including provision of a speaker to take part in a course for
pre-retirement employees.
Ten-year plan for health services
As required by the Department of Health and Social Security a revised three-year building programme
of projects for which it was anticipated loan sanction would be sought was prepared during the year,
and the Council's ten-year development plan for the health services was reviewed and amended.
The ten-year development plan — for the years 1973 - 1983 — includes projects under the National
Health Service Act 1946 and the Public Health Act 1936. Three health clinics and three health centres
are included under the former Act, and a cleansing station and two public conveniences under the
latter. Details are shown in the relevant table. See Table (25).
Part VI
Public Health Act 1936
Nursing Homes Act 1963
Mental Health Act 1959
Nursing Homes
Local health authorities have a duty to register and inspect nursing homes established in their areas.
One of the nursing homes registered with the Council is approved for the care of 109 general patients
(female). The other is approved for eight medical and/or chronic sick patients (male and female).
Both have been inspected regularly and conditions were found to be satisfactory.
There is one registered mental nursing home approved for the care of 27 mentally disturbed and
chronic sick patients. The home, which is for both male and female patients, has been regularly
inspected during the year.
There are no maternity homes registered in the borough.
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