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99
HEALTH EDUCATION
Throughout the year the Health Visiting Staff have carried
out a regular series of talks at schools and welfare centres.
Weekly mothercraft talks were given during each term in all
secondary modern schools in the Borough. Films and demon'
stration materials were used in conjunction with the lectures.
Relaxation classes were held weekly at three ante-natal clinics,
and instruction given in the preparation for motherhood, ante-natal
care, the mechanism of labour and child development, etc. Visual
aids again proved useful.
Efforts have again been made to provide interesting and useful
health education topics for display at the welfare centres.
Further details regarding health education activities are
included in the report of the Superintendent Health Visitor on page
84.
THE PREVENTION AND ALLEVIATION OF
DEAFNESS
In June, 1957, the Ministry of Health issued a memorandum on
this subject and sufficient copies were obtained for circulation to, all
medical, health visiting, school nursing and home nursing staff.
The importance of early recognition and adequate treatment
and training was stressed and the provision of a suitable hearing aid
if indicated.
Congenital deafness has been noticed to occur in children
exposed to noxious influences during the early months of intrauterine
life and a note is made on the Welfare Clinic Record Card of
all babies whose mothers give a history of infectious illnesses (particularly
rubella during the pregnancy) of hæmorrhage, toxaemia,
difficult labour, neonatal anoxia, or jaundice.
Record Cards in these cases are conspicuously marked for
follow-up and the baby's hearing tested before it is a year old.
Where deafness is suspected, a report is made so that further tests
can be arranged.
DOMESTIC HELP SERVICE
(Section 29)
Mrs. C. M. Hall, the Area Domestic Help Organiser was,
unfortunately, sick from the 2nd April, 1957 until the end of the
year, but fortunately Mrs. W. Pickard assumed duty as additional
Organiser as from 1st April and additional clerical assistance was
arranged. Much help was also received through the courtesy of the
County Medical Officer from the County Domestic Help Organiser,
Miss G. Jenkins.