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HEALTH EDUCATION
Mrs. P. Mahy, S.R.N., C.M.B. (Part I), H.V.Cert., Community Care Cert., F.E. Teachers Cert.,
M.I.H.E., M.R.S.H.—Principal Health Education Officer
"A man convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still"
—William Shakespeare
During 1972 the health visitors and midwives maintained their high standard of teaching in
mothercraft classes. A standardised syllabus has been introduced, this is really a "framework"
enabling the individual health educator to bring her own expertise to the class; however, it does
ensure that the teaching of mothercraft is consistent throughout the Borough. During November and
December a course of psychoprophylaxis classes for new health visitors joining the staff was
arranged by Miss Byatt, Chief Nursing Officer, and the Principal Health Education Officer.
Dr. E. W. Jones arranged a course of first aid lectures for employees of the Borough; the Health
Education Unit participated in this course.
The "Welcome to Citizenship" evening involved the unit in a fair amount of preparation. The
final presentation showed the work of all sections of the Health Department—midwifery, home
nursing, health visiting, dental service, health education and the public health inspectorate. The
Hillingdon Show caused many manhours of the health education staff to be directed towards
producing an impressive exhibition, the topic being fluoridation of water. The Women's National
Cancer Control Campaign kindly made available their mobile clinic in order to encourage the general
public to make use of the service provided for cervical cytology and for cancer control. It was
disappointing that in spite of the thousands of visitors to the Show so few were sufficiently interested
in the prevention of disease to visit the exhibition.
It was hoped that regular health education "workshops" and "teach-ins" could be arranged
throughout the year. Unfortunately owing to illness and pressure of work, only four were arranged
for health visitors; it is hoped that in 1973 a greater number can be organised.
During the year, three courses of in-service training were arranged by the Principal Health
Education Officer. These were successful due to the co-operation of the medical staff and Miss
Wills, the radiographer at the Health Control Unit. Dr. E. W. Jones, Mr. Crane (Safety Officer) and
staff of the public health inspectorate were also involved and completed the "team". Two of the
courses were for new clerk/receptionists at health control, the third provided in-service training for
the shift leaders. All courses appeared to be of value and were enjoyed by the participants. A true
evaluation can only be made over a period of time; it is hoped that an assessment can be made during
1973.
The students at Brunei University requested a lecture on Venereal Disease followed by a film
and discussion. Dr. E. W. Jones and the Principal Health Education Officer were involved and the
discussion lasted until very late in the evening.
As in previous years, visitors from many parts of the world have come to the unit to discuss
health education. All have shown great interest, especially in the visual aids section, for it is in this
area that the unit has made rapid growth. Mr. C. E. Read, the health education technician, has produced
numerous excellent community health slides. The display work is of a most high standard;
this has been achieved in spite of very limited working space and inadequate storage facilities. Many
of these visual aids were used by the Principal Health Education Officer to illustrate the work of the
Health Department to newly appointed members of the staff during the three induction courses
in which the unit has been involved.
As in 1971, a pre-retirement course was arranged by the Uxbridge Technical College. The team
involved in the health session was Mrs. Gilboy, physiotherapist, Dr. E. W. Jones and the Principal
Health Education Officer. The group appeared to enjoy the session and Mrs. Gilboy involved the
class in appropriate exercises.
To date, contact has only been made with one factory; it is hoped to extend health education
to industry as soon as possible. A visit to the Nestles Ladies Club to give a talk on diet and nutrition
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