View report page

The most useful single measures would be to find sheltered homes in ordinary households
for suitable cases who otherwise are disposed of in institutions. Unfortunately from this point of
view the Borough of Waltham Forest is a poor area: too often housing is not calculated to provide
a home for an extra adult, even if the cubic capacity is there; and the household frequently has its
responsible members away at work all day. Similarly, salvaging the educationally subnormal to
useful employment is largely a matter of prolonged and very skilful training; and here staff and
buildings are the difficulty.
A programme now being undertaken of routine examination for persons with mental and
behavioural disabilities is a first step to discovery and remedy of some of the causes. Another
aspect is the use of the local public health statistics for which a large unit such as the Borough
is in a uniquely favourable position.
Routine administrative inspections undertaken of patients and homes for the blind, the
aged and the infirm of mind or body, afford opportunities, some unexpected, to improve conditions,
The sedative programme sometimes may be lightened, the dietary programme perhaps strengthened
to ease the lot of these people and those who look after them.
Two massive problems always remain of first importance: home and occupation.
F. J.Goodey
Senior Medical Officer -Community Care
Health Education
For a variety of reasons it was not possible to appoint the Health Education Officer until
the Spring of 1966, and the pre-occupation with amalgamation of services prevented office staff
giving any attention to this most important subject during 1965. The most fundamental and far the
most important factors for promoting health lie in the sphere of personal attitudes, habits, and
knowledge.
In spite of the lack of organised drive over the whole field, the Health Visitors continued
and expanded their efforts during the year, as given below:-
(a) In Schools (including Parent/Teacher Associations)
At the request of the head teachers of 19 secondary schools in the Borough, Health Visitors
carried out a health education programme through group discussion.
The syllabus is flexible to meet the need of each particular school and the individual pupils.
(1) Growing Up: needs of the baby, toddler, schoolchild, adolescent,adult.
(2) The family and the community: citizenship, clubs.
(3) How the body functions: elementary anatomy and physiology.
(4) Nutrition: food values — importance of a balanced diet.
(5) Posture in health: fresh air, sleep, training for fitness and good habits.
(6) How to be well groomed: care of skin, hair, eyes, teeth, feet.
(7) Problems of adolescence: leisure — human relationships.
(8) Choosing clothes: budgeting, choice of materials, suitability and
attractiveness.
24