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Problem Families
There is a small proportion of families which
make exceptional demands on the resources of
the department because of the multiplicity of
their presenting problems A central file
containing all known information about such
families is maintained in order to provide
easier communication and liaison with members
of the Children s Department and voluntary
agencies such as the N.S.P.C.C who are often
also involved with these families
As a matter of routine health visitors now
bring forward families about whom they are
especially concerned and these are discussed
in detaiI with the principal nursing officer
All staff are well aware of the desirability of
prevention rather than cure but where primary
prevention has been impossible the new
procedure aims at
(a) Identifying needs and difficulties and then
considering them in the context of the
whole family
(b) Effective use and organisation of resources
(c) Early referral where necessary to other
departments or agencies
(d) Adequate support to the worker most closely
involved and improved communications
between all the agencies concerned
Health Education
On the 1st April 1968 the Health Education
Council set up at the beginning of the year by
the Ministry of Health became responsible
for all health education promotional functions
previously exercised by the Ministry of Health
and the work of the Central Council for Health
Education In Circular 17/68 the Ministry of
Health stated that in consultation with the
Central Council for Health Education a phased
plan was being prepared to integrate its
activities with those of the new Council and
that it was hoped that this process would be
completed and the new Council would assume
full responsibility some time before the end of
the summer
During the year numerous talks were given
to mothers attending our child health and
ante-natal clinics and also at mothercraft
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se,ssions
In response to requests many talks and
lectures were given to various groups and
organisations on health subjects including
smoking and health cervical cytology the care
of the elderly dental caries cancer preparation
for retirement and the borough s new health
centres The talks which were often illustrated
by films film strips and other types of visual
aids were very well received and one anticipates
an increase in the number of requests
The medical officer responsible for the
student health service gave a course of lectures
to students attending the two polytechnic colleges
on a wide variety of health matters includi ng
community health service venereal diseases
alcohol smoking and drugs He also held
discussion groups on the social problems of
adolescents with the leaders of the borough s
Youth Organisation
The medical and nursing staff were shown films
on a number of topics and these were followed by
lively discussions
Two mothers clubs were started which as well
as giving young mothers the opportunity to meet
and make friends were also used to teach parentcraft
and health education
Students from colleges within the borough others
of various disciplines and also groups of schoolgirls
were shown around the health centres clinics
and other establishments and were given short
talks on various health subjects by members of the
staff
Reference is made to Mental Health Week in the
section on mental health on page 89
Posters concerned with health subjects were
regularly displayed on public notice boards
throughout the borough and also on public buildings
shops and factories Topical health subjects were
included in the borough s news sheet Progress
In the field of publicity we have continued to enjoy
the co-operation of Mr R C. Skinner the Council s
Press and Information Officer
Home Safety
Mr. Jones Home Safety Officer reports as follows
During the past year the Home Safety Committee
have continued their efforts to reduce the number
of accidents that occur in and around the home
Continued assistance has therefore been given to
candidates training under the Duke of Edinburgh s
Award Scheme for Girls with particular regard to