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2
Health Education
A very successful health education exhibition entitled
"Let's Live" was organised jointly by the Health and Welfare and
Education Departments at Hollyfield Youth Centre. Health education
continued in schools and generally throughout the work of the
department, and in connection with talks to various organisations.
Personal Health Services (National Health Service Act. 1946)
Although there are as yet no health centres in Kingston,
local doctors made approaches about the possible extension of two of
our clinics to provide accommodation for general practitioners. It
is hoped that a start on at least one will be made in the next
financial year. Plans for three purpose-built health centres, two
to replace present clinics, were also under consideration.
At the end of the year 4 midwives, 4 district nurses,
1 nursing auxiliary and 6 health visitors were working in attachment
to or in liaison with family doctors.
There was again a sharp fall in the number of mothers
confined at home.
The number of children cared for in private homes and
nurseries by child minders continued to increase, and further
training courses in child development and child care were held in
conjunction with the Education Department for persons wishing to
register under the Nurseries and Child-Minders Regulation Act, 1948.
Section 60 of the Health Services and Public Health Act, 1968, which
came into effect on 1st November 1968, strengthened local authorities'
powers as regards registration and supervision of day nurseries and
child minders. It is now an offence for an unregistered person to
look after, in her own home for reward for a period of two hours in
the day, one or more children to whom she is not related. In Ministry
of Health Circular 37/68 the Minister of Health gave guidance to local
health authorities on day care of children generally and amongst other
things dealt with standards of accommodation and general care and
supervision of children.
The aims of the new legislation are to ensure a uniform
standard of premises and equipment and to provide better facilities
for the care of the children and additional safeguards for their health
and welfare. A considerable amount of extra work will be involved.