View report page

5
Specimens sent by doctors to the branch laboratories in Neasden Hospital, the Health Department,
the Willesden Health Clinic, the Kilburn Health Clinic or the Stonebridge Health Clinic, are collected and
taken to the Central Public Health Laboratory. A report by telephone is given to the doctor next morning
followed by a written report.
Samples of milk, ice cream, and water are sent by Public Health Inspectors.
The Grade 4 ice cream samples were manufactured in premises in neighbouring boroughs; the Medical
Officers of Health were notified so that they could investigate the methods of manufacture.
The unsatisfactory samples of water were taken from the paddling pool at King Edward VII Park,
and were due to sand from the sandpit near the paddling pool entering the pumping plant. Modifications to
the filter plant were carried out which effected some improvement. Arrangements are being made for the water
from the pool to pass continuously through the purification and chlorination plant of the adjoining swimming
baths.
Uncleanliness and Scabies (see table 12)
As compared with 1955 there has been a decrease in the number of children treated for lice and nits,
an increase in the number of adults treated for lice and nits and an increase in all age groups treated for
scabies. The numbers treated are, however, still small and there is no evidence that there has been an increase
in the prevalence of lice, nits and scabies in the community.
Establishments for Massage and Special Treatment
The registration of establishments for massage and special treatment is delegated to the Borough
Council under Part XII of the Middlesex County Council Act, 1944.
During the year 20 licences were renewed. In one case exemption from licensing was claimed under
the Act for a registered member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. All premises have been inspected
and found satisfactory.
Health Education
In the modern community it is essential that all citizens have a knowledge of the principles of health
and are able to practise the simple rules of hygiene. This knowledge helps many people to avoid mental and
physical disorders and relieves general practitioners and hospitals of some of their heavy burdens in dealing
with the sick.
The department's health education programme is based mainly on lectures illustrated by filmstrips and
films. To ensure that the rising generation gets the best possible training in health, special attention is paid
to health education in schools, linked, as far as possible, with a hygiene or biology syllabus.
The Area Medical Officer and members of his staff and the Chief Public Health Inspector and his
staff give the talks in schools (table 13). Brains trusts are held at the end of each term, which enable
the children to ask questions which have not been adequately answered during the lectures. The questions
which they put to the panel at these brains trusts show quite clearly that the children are interested in the
subject and that they are gaining much useful knowledge of health matters.
At the health clinics mothercraft classes are held and many talks, some of which are illustrated with
film strips, are given by doctors, health visitors, midwives and clinic nurses. These talks are most useful in
helping mothers to care for themselves and their babies. Health visitors give more specific individual health
education in the mothers' homes during their routine visits (table 14). Mothers' clubs, which commenced in
June, 1953, at the Kilburn Health Clinic, have been successful and were much appreciated. During the year,
clubs were also started at the Stonebridge Health Clinic. Talks were given on subjects such as health,
cookery, sewing, chiropody, home nursing and first aid.
Health workers themselves need post-graduate education. Health education films are shown and
lectures given, often by outside lecturers, to separate meetings of doctors, public health inspectors, health
visitors, and day nursery matrons and their deputies. The meetings are held regularly, and the interesting
discussions that follow many of them have been most valuable and keep staff abreast with recent advances in
technique in their special subjects.
During the year students studying at the University of London Institute of Education for the
Diploma in Health Education visited Willesden on several occasions in order to gain practical experience.
After the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health Congress in May a party of Chinese and Czechoslovakian
delegates visited Willesden. After being received by His Worship the Mayor they visited a school,
a day nursery, and a health clinic.
Talks have been given to religious, social and political organisations for a number of years but
the extension of the habit of television viewing has affected the number of requests received by the Department
and the size of the audiences at meetings. Nevertheless many talks were given to several organisations on
different subjects (table 13) and they were well attended.
To compensate the decrease in the number of lectures given to social, religious and political organisations
the Department are arranging more talks to factory employees. The Medical Officer of Health and
his deputy give these talks during lunch-hour breaks and they were well attended and were very useful
(table 13).
During October and November talks and film shows were given to old folks' associations as part
of a campaign on the prevention of accidents to old people.
Altogether one can look back on the year with the satisfaction of knowing that more and more
people in Willesden are being enlisted in the battle against disease.