View report page

19
Although the recruitment of full-time staff is still a problem, the tendency of part-time dental officers
to transfer to more lucrative posts in the General Dental Service has virtually ceased as the number of practitioners
in that service in this area is more than adequate for the demands made upon it. Indeed the reverse
is now the case, part-time dental officers requesting additional sessions with the Local Authority.
This is, of course, appreciated by the patients and parents who now enjoy continuity of treatment
not previously possible with ever-changing staff.
Full and immediate treatment is available to all entitled and willing to accept it.
CHIROPODY
The number of patients attending the Chiropody Clinic has increased, especially retirement pensioners
and large numbers of housebound, both elderly and handicapped, are being given domiciliary chiropody treatment.
The chiropodist is often able, when visiting these old people, to help in other ways; for instance, by
reporting to the Health Visitors of a patient's needs in matters which come within the scope of their activities.
Most parents who come to the clinic with their children for foot treatment are often anxious for
advice on suitable shoes, etc., and this is freely given.
Most patients receive a monthly treatment and a common expression when they leave is that they are
"walking on air" and often say how much they appreciate this service provided by the Council.
HOME SAFETY
The Willesden Home Safety Committee, which was formed in November, 1956, has done valuable
work during the year. It is a voluntary committee which has the support of both the Willesden Borough and
Middlesex County Councils. The Borough Council made their annual grant of £100 to the committee's funds
in the financial year 1964/65, but in July it was necessary to ask for an additional grant of £25 for the purchase
of 1,000 extra copies of the fourth edition of the "Home Safety Handbook." In October, after an extraordinary
meeting held to discuss the committee's financial commitments until 31st March, 1965, an approach
was made to the Council for a further grant of £50 so that these could be met. The Committee were most
grateful to the Council for making these additional grants.
The Committee's aim is to reduce the number of accidents which occur in homes in Willesden,
mostly affecting children under five years and people over 65 years of age. Its terms of reference were outlined
in the annual report for 1956.
The Willesden Borough Council and 24 local organisations are represented on the Committee, which
is affiliated to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and the National Home Safety Committee.
The Committee is also a member of the British Standards Institution and the Consumers' Association Limited.
Three committee meetings and six meetings of sub-committees were held during the year. Subcommittees
considered the safety handbook, the song competition, the Willesden Show, and finance. An
informal meeting was held in conjunction with the Home Safety Sub-committee of Wembley Accident Prevention
Council to consider the future in view of the proposed merger of Wembley and Willesden under the
London Government Act.
The fourth edition of the Committee's Home Safety Handbook was completed; the publishers made
2,000 copies available free of charge and an additional 1,000 were purchased. Copies were widely distributed
throughout the borough, and distribution will continue.
During the week preceding 5th November, posters were displayed on borough sites, in libraries and
clinics, and at Christmas posters were displayed on advertising sites. Literature was also distributed at the
Willesden Show, and when talks were given to organisations.
A display at the Willesden Show in September was very successful. The theme was 'Accidents in
the Home'. 'Careless Lodge', an exhibit illustrating hazards in the home, was hired from Hertfordshire County
Council, and proved a very great attraction to adults and children. The chairman and members attended
to answer questions and distribute literature.
The Committee invited entries for a song competition, with prizes of £20, £10 and £5, the lyric to be
written to one of six tunes and to incorporate at least one aspect of home safety. 3,000 entry forms were
distributed but only 14 entries were received. Five songs were selected by a panel of teenagers and sung in
the Summer Theatre at the Willesden Show on 12th September; the prizes for the three winning songs were
presented by Her Worship the Mayor. It was felt that the winning song should receive as much publicity as
possible, and it has now been published in the December issue of the Home Safety Bulletin.
The Committee's resolution 'To reduce the risk of fires through oil heaters', submitted to the National
Home Safety Committee for consideration, was referred to the House of Lords asking that it should be
included in the appropriate clauses of the Housing Bill. Articles on the Committee's activities have appeared
in the local press and in 'Safety News'.
Early in the year organisations were reminded that members would give talks on home safety, but the
response was poor and only two talks were given to 71 people.
Two members attended the National Home Safety Conference held at Friends House, Euston Road,
in October; one member attended several meetings of the Area 10 Home Safety Committee which has representatives
from all Home Safety Committees in Greater London and Middlesex; one member attended a oneday
conference organised by the Women's Advisory Committee of the British Standards Institution on 'Safety
for the Under-Fives'; and two members attended the Willesden Borough Council's Civic Forum in January.
An invitation to attend the Forum was also extended to the Honorary Accident Prevention Officer for
Wembley.