London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Woolwich 1956

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]

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informal talks were presented throughout the spring and winter months
to local organisations in their own meeting places. Thirteen of these
programmes included informal talks on some aspect of the work of the
Health Department. Audiences attending totalled over 4,200 persons.
Of the thirteen informal talks given to organisations, three
were on the subject of the "Work of the Health Department", seven
on "Clean Food" and one on each of "Refuse Disposal", "Clean Air"
and "Pest Control".
The audiences attending these sessions varied considerably in
numbers. The old people's clubs continue to have the largest
audiences, with 300 or more members attending.
A pleasing feature of the work is the number of requests
received for second visits by the Unit. It has been found that an
initial visit to an organisation with sound films and a short talk
on the '"Work of the Health Department" is generally followed by a
request for a further visit on a specialised subject, such as, Pood,
Rodent Control, Smoke, etc.
The programmes shown during the year were of approximately one
hour's duration and were built up, as in past years, of sound films
of 20-30 minutesĀ® duration on a health subject, followed by some
general interest films. Every endeavour is made to ensure that
the health film is suitable for the type of audience, and that all
the items are of interest.
Of the 91 programmes presented, nine were given to old people's
meetings, 51 to groups of mixed adults, including six professional
bodies, 26 to religious and social meetings and five to youth
meetings. Fifty-seven programmes were shown in the afternoon and
34 in the evening.
The film "Guilty Chimneys", which the Council purchased from
the Gas Council, was again shown extensively, and towards the end
of the year it was used virtually at every session. Invariably it
provoked a good deal of discussion, and many people have stated
that they found it most interesting.
A London firm specialising in the manufacture of sterilising
and detergent materials produced an excellent 30 minute colour film
on Clean Pood. Although designed primarily for food handlers, it
had an appeal to everyone, and particularly to housewives. This
film was kindly made available to the Department, and it was shown
widely.
Several letters of appreciation were received during the year
37