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9
Meningitis and Encephalitis
Thirteen cases were confirmed compared with 10 in 1970.
In one instance three members in one family were infected. The first, the father was admitted to
Neasden Hospital on 24th June. One of the sons was admitted on 4.9.71 and a second son on 7.9.71.
There were no cases of encephalitis.
HEALTH EDUCATION
The World Health Organisation defines health as a state of complete mental, physical and social wellbeing
and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Health Education is primarily concerned with
teaching preventive medicine by the understanding of the working of the human body and the nature of
illnesses and conditions.
The organisation of the Health Education programme consisted therefore in the main of providing
well illustrated talks or lectures followed by discussion in groups. Many of the professional staff of the
department, for example, doctors, dentists, health visitors, midwives, chiropodists, physiotherapists where so
involved, and in all 81 talks were given in 17 schools and 128 talks provided for religious and social groups,
and in addition a Health Visitor gave a talk on Baby Care on Radio London.
Regular mothercraft classes were held to help expectant and nursing mothers care for themselves
and their infants, and 291 talks, supported by films and demonstrations were given at these sessions.
There were good attendances of both expectant mothers and fathers at the bi-monthly showings of
the film "To Janet a Son" which emphasised the interest and need for education in this field. People attended
from as far away as Essex and Surrey. Gas and air demonstrations followed the film and expectant mothers
were able to handle the apparatus and try it out for themselves.
Film shows held monthly for all the Department's professional staff gave them opportunity to
review new visual aid material.
Mothers' clubs were organised at some clinics, where mothers could meet and discuss problems
whilst their children played under supervision, and for these, a variety of subjects were presented by the
department's staff and some outside lecturers.
45 talks and visits were made to the various visitors that came to the Department e.g. medical
students, nurses, midwives, trainee general practitioners, the content of which were to demonstrate the
provision of community health services.
During a "Welcome to Citizenship" evening held in the Town Hall, Health Department staff were
personally able to interest a group of 300 young people in health education topics, in particular in answering
questions on the subject of venereal disease. A stand depicting the community health service was also mounted
at the Brent Show held in September.
Full support was given where possible to the national campaigns instituted by the Health Education
Council particularly the anti-smoking campaign. Posters and literature on dental care, foot care, personal
hvgiene, food hygiene, venereal disease, cervical cytology, family planning and home safety were widely
distributed. Other information, leaflets, and posters were supplied on request to individuals and leaders and
organisers of groups and associations.
MEDICAL ASSESSMENTS AND MEDICAL REPORTS
New entrants to the Council's service are requested to complete a medical assessment form. The
forms are scrutinized by an assessing medical officer and, if considered necessary, further information is obtained
from the entrant's general practitioner or a hospital, and/or a medical examination carried out. During the
year. 2,188 assessments were dealt with. Further information was obtained from general practitioners in 18
cases, from hospitals in 12 cases and from Chest Clinics in 9 cases. It was not necessary to carry out any
medical examinations.
Twenty medical examinations were carried out on behalf of other local authorities. Four medical
examinations were carried out on behalf of other Departments of the Council where the Chief Officer considered
it necessary before granting an extension of service. Eight members of the staff were recommended for
retirement on the grounds of permanent ill health.
It is a requirement of the Department of Education and Science that all teachers, on their first
appointment, and applicants for entry to Teacher Training Colleges, be medically examined. 178 teachers and
228 trainees were examined by Medical Officers in the Department.
TRAINING
Details of the training undertaken by the nursing staff are contained in the Sections of the Report
dealing with "Midwifery", "Home Nursing" and "Health Visiting". The training undertaken by the remainder
of the staff is summarised below.
Medical Officers
The Principal Medical Officer for School Health attended a three-day seminar on "The Adolescent"
and a four-dav course on "Intelligence Systems and Management", both arranged by the Society of Medical
Officers of Health, and a two-day course on "Revnell Developmental Language Scales" arranged by the
Institute of Child Health. One medical officer attended a I.U.D. practical training course and another a
family planning course both arranged by the Family Planning Association. One medical officer attended a
sit-weeks course on "Developmental Paediatrics" arranged by the Societv of Medical Officers of Health. Four
other medical officers attended one-day courses or symposia on "The Wheezy Child", "New aspects of
Infant Feeding" and "Living with Diabetes".