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be a varying but significant proportion of unmarried
mothers and other vulnerable people, such as the
handicapped and the elderly in the community. Of
the many medico-social provisions that must be made
for these groups, one that stands out is the need for
suitable housing accommodation.
Hostels for unmarried mothers are short-term only;
hostels for the physically handicapped or elderly
should only be necessary for a very small proportion
of the total number of persons concerned. Suitable
and flexible housing accommodation remains therefore
the most vitally important material provision for
the vast majority of persons who fall into these
vulnerable groups. A suitable proportion of all new
dwellings could, with advantage, be designed in such
a way as to be equally suitable for either the elderly,
the physically handicapped or even an ordinary
family group, and in this way the unpredictable
variations of demand and supply could be economically
contained.
For the same reasons it should be brought to the
notice of all those who are responsible for the design
of public buildings such as theatres, cinemas, libraries,
churches, shops, etc that they should make sure that
such buildings are accessible to all disabled and
elderly persons, including those in wheelchairs. The
provision of at least one level entrance with no steps,
suitably placed handrails, easy to operate, suitably
sized and positioned lifts, suitable doors and at least
one toilet large enough to accommodate a wheelchair.
The proportion of handicapped and elderly in the
community is large enough to warrant these provisions,
and it cannot be disputed that they have as
much right of access to the amenities of such buildings
as any other member of the community.
Health Education
The report of a Joint Committee of the Central and
Scottish Health Services Council on health education
under the chairmanship of Lord Cohen published in
1964, drew attention to and envisaged a considerable
expansion in this important aspect of preventive
medicine and the promotion of health. In Hounslow
during the last year, a considerable portion of the
resources of the health education division of the
health department has been devoted to a very
important development in the field which has been
called the Hounslow Project. Mr E Heimler, Social
Work Organiser and Advisor on Health Education
and Miss J Dighton, Psychiatric Social Worker, have
raised a number of new and interesting issues in this
field, and a resume of the project is to be found in
the body of the report. Wide interest in this project has
been reported in this country and internationally, but
it is only one facet of a wider field envisaged in the
Cohen report.
The first part of the project, and the pilot survey
have pin-pointed groups in need of education and
advice, and particular aspects of health education and
prevention will be directed at these groups.
General expansion of this division of the department,
especially on the technical side however will be
necessary if the suggestions in the Cohen report are
to be implemented.
Family Planning
The department continues to co-operate very
closely with the voluntary family planning service, on
whose committee I have the honour to serve. From so
many points of view this is one of the most vital
services for the present and future health of mankind.
The figures of possible future overcrowding of this
world's surface area produced by the statisticians are
not without basis, but nearer at home, family planning
is without doubt a considerable factor in increasing
the stability of family life and improving the health
of the new generation of children. It will also be one
of the vital factors in enabling such necessary social
services as the provision of suitable housing to catch
up with the present ever increasing demand.
Maternity . Child Welfare and School Health Services
These services continued to function on the same
pattern as under the Middlesex County Council
during the year.
The stature, physique and overall health of the
children, including the school children in the borough
is good, but it must be remembered that there is also
the other side to the story. With improved medical
and surgical techniques the percentage of surviving
handicapped in the child population tends to rise, and
added to this improved diagnostic methods find
increased numbers of hearing, visual and minor or
major psychological deviations from the normal.
These factors, combined with the closer assessment of
emotional disturbances, social maladjustments, school
phobias and failure to progress in school mean that
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