View report page

25
GENERAL SERVICES
HEALTH EDUCATION
Health Education is an important function of the Health
and Welfare Department. The World Health Organisation describes
health as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well
being".
A good deal of positive health education is part of the
everyday work of all professional staff of the department,
particularly health visitors who have a major responsibility in this
field. Public health inspectors also have a special responsibility
as regards health education on food hygiene. Medical officers,
health visitors, social workers, public health inspectors and others
visiting homes must be prepared to undertake home safety education.
During the first year of the new borough it was not
possible to have the co-ordination at top level as regards health
education that should be expected. This was due to a certain
extent to the fact that there was no appointment of a Health
Education Officer. Nevertheless much work has been undertaken,
particularly by medical officers and health visitors, in homes,
clinics, and schools. There have been several planned health
education projects in schools, clinics, clubs, and for women's
organisations; also special campaigns in clinics, dealing with home
and road safety, care of the teeth, clean food, care with fireworks,
care of the feet, immunisation and vaccination.
Notices about venereal diseases were displayed in the
clinics and the subject was discussed in lectures and at meetings
dealing with family planning.
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT 1948, SECTION 47
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE (AMENDMENT) ACT 1951
Action can be taken under these Acts for compulsory
removal of persons to suitable premises in circumstances where they
are:
(a) suffering from grave chronic disease or being aged
infirm or physically incapacitated are living in
insanitary conditions;
(b) unable to look after themselves and are not
receiving proper care and attention from other
persons.
There were no cases during the year in which action had to
be taken under the above-mentioned Acts.