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HEALTH EDUCATION
All members of staff concerned with health services are
responsible for education in health as part of their normal duties.
Although each makes only a small contribution the aggregate constitutes
a considerable volume of works The Council appointed a part-time
officer to deal with the home safety aspect of this work and health
visitors and medical officers undertake formal and informal health
educational activity so far as other commitments will allow.
There is no doubt that a great deal more needs to be done in
educating members of the public in matters of health and this can only
be achieved by the appointment of a specialist member of staff able to
devote his or her whole time to this work. The appointment of such a
person was allowed in the establishment approved by the Council but
was later deferred on account of the general financial situation.
When this improves serious consideration will have to be given to filling
the appointment as soon as possible. In the meantime, so far as possible,
formal invitations from groups of people for talks, discussions and films
are accepted and clinic staffs make similar arrangements for the mothers
who attend. Two of the main clinics have active associations of parents
who meet regularly, when opportunity is taken to provide material of
health educational interests. Posters and pamphlets are distributed in
clinics and schools but the more positive approach of a specialist officer
to direct and co-ordinate this work is highly desirable.
HOME SAFETY
On 20th June, 1965 representatives of the committees hitherto
responsible for home safety activities met to discuss the future of
home safety in the new Borough. It was agreed that those committees should
continue to operate as district sub-committees, each working within their
old boundaries and that a main committee should undertake the co-ordination
of their activities within the Borough as a whole. Each committee agreed
to nominate 3 members to the main committee which would be completed by
3 members appointed by the Borough Council and 4 co-opted members from the
Fire Service, South Eastern Gas Board, South Eastern Electricity Board
and Area 10 Home Safety Council. This arrangement was adopted and a part
time Home Safety Officer who also acted as secretary to the committee
was appointed by the Borough Council.
(a) Exhibitions
The Home Safety Committee and District Sub-Committees co-operated
with the Fire Service during their 'open Day' on 23rd October, 1965. A large
Home Safety Fire Prevention Exhibition was put on at each of the Fire Stations,
with great success.
(b) Lectures
Ten lectures were given during this period, some with films and
some with slides.
(c) Literature
literature on home safety matters was extensively distributed to
schools, clinics, libraries, fire stations, organisations (when giving talks)
doctors' surgeries, engineers and highways departments, youth clubs, health
visitors, home helps and district nurses.
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(d) Accident Returns
The number of home accident casualties conveyed by ambulance to
hospital between 1st April, 1965 to 31st December, 1965 was as follows:-