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Health Education
In addition to Health Education carried out by teachers in schools many of the professional
staff of the Health Department including medical officers, dental officers and health visitors
are responsible for health education as part of their normal duties.
The demand for health education from schools as well as from the general public continues
to increase.
Health education in the borough is co-ordinated by the Health Education Officer who
works from the Health Education Centre at Rochester Road Clinic, Carshalton, where there is an
excellent supply of audio-visual aids including 21 films and 85 sets of teaching slides.
High Schools
The main programme for health education in high schools is carried out by one of the
school medical officers and during term time she is almost fully employed on this work.
Health education is part of the syllabus for all children in high schools and in the
older age groups emphasis is placed on personal relationships, and social health problems.
Special sessions are devoted to the use and misuse of drugs.
Primary Schools
The teachers in primary schools are increasingly undertaking health education but are
supplemented by the talks given by health visitors. Before the talks on sex education are given the
films and slides used are seen by parents.
Health Education in Clinics
There is continuous health education at all clinics including the dental clinics. Reference
has been elsewhere in the report to the health education given in Mothers' Clubs and Geriatric
Advisory Clinics.
Adult Further Education
The Health Education Officer was involved in the establishing of a pilot course on
retirement.
There has been an increasing demand for speakers and films on health education by
Youth Clubs and various Societies.
Home Safety
The Home Safety Committee has continued to meet regularly and during 1970 one
Committee was formed for the whole Borough. The help and advice given by the Committee is
greatly appreciated.
Five home safety courses mainly for young people were held during the year and
those attending regularly were presented with certificates by The Worshipful the Mayor.
In addition an Inter-School Poster Painting Competition was held when the subject
of the poster was based on home safety.
A Poisons Campaign was held during-the year and 25,000 unused tablets etc. were
collected and destroyed.
Hazard House the teaching aid which highlights 53 home hazards has been in continuous
use in primary schools, libraries and clinics and in addition, achieved national fame when it
was on show at the National Home Safety Conference.
Home Safety continues to be an important part of the health education programme.
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