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Generally speaking, the emphasis in this Department has been to train staff specifically for and up to
the standard of a recognisable qualification, preferably of national standing, which is basic to the technical
discipline involved and is secured by examination at the end of the period of instruction. Other items of
training are undertaken which constitute revision or refreshing the in-service member of the staff, but these
are regarded as secondary to the basic professional training leading to qualification.
Medical and Dental Officers
No medical officer was seconded in this year to complete the Diploma in Public Health course,
but in the last 5 years 3 doctors have been sent and successfully taken the Diploma in Public Health
examination.
Two medical officers have been sponsored for the 2 weeks' course on the Developmental Assessment of
Children, and four medical officers have also been permitted to attend school in-service seminars. It is the
normal practice to delegate the Medical Officer of Health to attend the Royal Society of Health Congress
and the Deputy Medical Officer of Health to attend the Royal Institute of Public Health and Hygiene Conference.
A senior medical officer attended the five day management course of the Society of Medical Officers
of Health. Three dental officers attended refresher courses of 2 to 5 days and one represented the Borough at
the British Dental Association Conference.
One speech therapist attended the National Conference of the College of Speech Therapists and 2
audiologists day refresher courses.
Administrative Officers
The Deputy Chief Administrative Officer attended the London Boroughs Management Appreciation
Course and a Senior Administrative Officer attended the Summer School of the Association of Health
Administrative Officers. One officer is on day release, studying for the D.M.A. and several clerical officers are
released one day a week for various studies appropriate to their calling.
Public Health Inspectors
The establishment includes 4 pupil inspectors and during the year 3 were in post, pursuing the 4 year
course leading to the Diploma of the Public Health Inspectors' Education Board. The training programme
runs from year to year and during 1970, 2 pupils qualified, one remaining to sit the examination in the future.
Various inspectors attended a Poultry Hygiene Course arranged by the College for the Distributive Trades,
and Symposia on Housing and on Noise Control. The Chief Inspector attended the Annual Conference of
the Association of Public Health Inspectors and his Deputy the Conference of the National Society for
Clean Air.
Nursing Services
Students are sponsored for one academic year on a course which qualifies them to sit for the
Health Visitors' Certificate. The pupil attends a technical college for 3 terms and is required to do 3 months
practical training in the summer. Five student health visitors were recruited during the year and 4 were
successful in qualifying. Four health visitors attended refresher courses and 2 attended an audiology course.
Seven were allowed to participate in various day courses on subjects such as geriatrics, diabetes and spina
bifida. The Superintendent attended the Conference of the National Association for Maternal and Child
Welfare and the Annual Congress of the Royal Society of Health. She was also present on a one day
Management Appreciation Course.
Three midwives attended refresher courses, as required by the rules of the Central Midwives Board.
Selected district nurses, after recruitment, are released to attend the Chiswick Polytechnic 2 days per week
for 3 months on a course leading to the Ministry of Health's National Certificate in District Nursing. Five
nurses completed this training course and 4 attended refresher courses. Eight nurses attended one day
courses of study on appropriate subjects and the Clinical Nursing Officer was allowed to participate in a
Management Appreciation Course.
Day Nurseries
Extensive training takes place year by year in the Day Nursery Service and at any one time some
60 students are employed on the staff, taking 2 days release per week in order to attend the technical
colleges and qualify themselves to sit for the National Nursery Examination Board Certificate. During the
year 60 students were in post and at the end of the year some 28 were successful in securing the N.N.E.B.
qualification. Two matrons attended the Annual Conference of the National Association of Nursery Matrons.
Social Work Training
Two trainee mental health social workers were following full-time courses leading to the Certificate
in Social Work, and 2 officers were seconded on full-time courses for recognised qualifications appropriate
to their calling. No individual submitted himself for examination during the year, as the two year courses
did not expire during the period. Six social workers attended day release courses and the Deputy Chief Mental
Health Social Worker attended the London Boroughs' Management Course for one week. One social worker
on general duties was seconded on a full-time course leading to the Certificate for Social Work and was
successful in the examination. One was allowed day release for preliminary study leading to the Certificate
for Social Work. One senior officer attended a Conference on Geriatric Services and also a Conference on
the Use of Drugs in Old Persons' Homes.
Residential Staff
Training of residential staffs included 1 matron attending the London Boroughs' Course (day release)
for 3 terms and 6 attendants attended similar day release courses for 7 weeks.
This amount of training throws strain on the officers who remain behind, who must meet the work
load, but is thought to be essential to provide in the future adequate qualified staffs.