View report page

HEALTH EDUCATION.
Health education is becoming an increasingly important activity of
local authorities.
Every effort is made to reach as broad a section of the public as
possible in the dissemination of publicity relating to general health
matters, whilst educational material relative to particular subjects is
distributed to selected sections of the public as applicable in each case.
The operation of the Council's second Smoke Control Order required,
and was given, intensive publicity in the part of the Borough covered
by the Order.
The Council co-operated with the London County Council in the
National Fire Prevention Week Campaign in November, with emphasis being
placed on the prevention of burns and scalds.
Following the issue of a statement by the Packaging Films Manufacturers
Association concerning thin Polythene Film, a poster was prepared and
exhibited, warning mothers not to allow their children to play with bags
made of this substance. Another poster drawn up in the department warned
the public to exercise care in the use of oil heaters and to have them
modified in accordance .with the manufacturers' advice.
The former Empire Marketing Boards were used to display various
posters during the year, as were also the Council's official notice boards
and those affixed to lamp columns in street markets in the Borough. The
occupiers of several large factories in the Borough and of -some chemists'
shops accept posters for display and leaflets for distribution.
With the co-operation of the Borough Librarian bookmarks and leaflets
on various health subjects were distributed from the lending section of
the Borough Libraries.
Enamelled panels giving details of hospitals and the times of
attendances where advice on, or treatment of, venereal diseases can be
obtained were renewed, as necessary, in the Council's public conveniences.
Vacant sites in the Borough were kept posted with notices warning
the public against depositing rubbish and also against the use of land
as caravan sites.
Publicity was given to other subjects including diphtheria immunisation,
vaccination against poliomyelitis, food hygiene, influenza,
the care of the elderly,and to the Council's Holiday Centre.
In all over 2,600 posters were displayed throughout the Borough
during the year, and 21,000 leaflets distributed.
HOLIDAY CENTRE.
During the year 1,136 Stepney residents spent a holiday at the
Council's Holiday Centre, The Manor House, Sandgate, near Folkestone,
Kent. This number included 704 aged persons and 147 children. The
total number of weekly bookings was 1,274, the highest since the Centre
was opened in 1958.
The Holiday Centre is open all the year round and is available for
holidays to any resident of the Borough, young and old. Half the total
16