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schools related mainly to general health and hygiene. In the secondary
schools subjects ranged from human relationships, family responsibilities,
child-birth, contraception, venereal disease to the control of infectious
diseases. The courses incorporated what is sometime called "sex education".
Participation in special courses such as human biology and social
studies were also maintained either by the provision of speakers or by
departmental staff acting in an advisory capacity. Practical visits to local
establishments were arranged to supplement the courses.
Talks were also given to schools on smoking and health. It was
regrettable that due to the shortage of dental staff it was not possible to
organise the usual dental health campaign. However talks were given on
dental health on request from schools.
All talks are supported by visual aids. Often films prove helpful and
these are reviewed in conjunction with the professional staff involved.
One such new film, "Growing-Up" which attracted considerable national
controversy was shown to groups of social workers, medical officers,
health visitors and teachers. The overwhelming majority of the staff
rejected the film as a teaching aid due to the omission of any reference to
human relationships and family responsibilities.
The Lecture Room at Hanover House is equipped for film projection
and was put to good use on 189 occasions by all sections of the department
for group and professional meetings, in-service training, and for
instruction given to external students attached to the department for
training.
Speakers from all sections of the Department are available to discuss
any aspect of the Health Department or its work. The talks can be arranged
during the day or evening for any section of the community ranging from
schools and youth or women's organisations to pensioners' clubs. Apart
from their educational content there is no doubt that they do much for
public relations.
The new Council gave notice of its intention to form a Home Safety
Sub-Committee and the year was also notable for the many requests for
discussions on this subject. These were given to local womens' and
pensioners' clubs and clinics. Libraries were used as an outlet for a
publicity campaign such as firework accidents, which fortunately appear
to be on the decline. Nevertheless figures are still far too high and one
can sympathise with those bodies, such as R.O.S.P.A., who seek to
confine the sale of fireworks to organised displays.