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During the year the foundations were laid for what it is hoped will prove a
valuable measure of co-operation between the hospitals and the health department staff.
Following an inspection of the hospital catering departments at the invitation of the
Hospital Management Committee, arrangements were made for talks on food hygiene to be
given to some of the catering staffs. Delivered by Sanitary Inspectors with a practical
knowledge of the subject, they hold promise of contributing towards a material reduction
of the risks of food infections.
Handbooks.
Publications during the year included a Handbook on the Health Services of the
Borough and a Brochure on "Safety in the Home".
Cancer Education.
In Circular 18/53 the Minister of Health invited Local Health Authorities to
consider what action could practicably be taken in their areas to bring home to the
public the Importance of early treatment of cancer and to disseminate popular knowledge
of the earlier symptoms. The Minister's advisory committees had considered that the time
was not yet ripe for a national scheme of cancer education by a central government
organisation, but that Local Authorities might consult the local general practitioners and
local hospitals upon the desirability and practicability of organising a local campaign to
that end.
This subject was accordingly discussed fully at meetings of the Local Medical Liaison
Committee at which the views of the general practitioners and hospital specialists were obtained.
It was considered that the benefits which could be expected under present circumstances from a
large scale publicity drive would be scarcely commensurate with the expenditure of money, time
and effort which would be required; but that attention might usefully be focussed upon one or
two special sites of a gynaecological nature. This could best be achieved in the course of the
normal health education endeavours through Maternity and Child Welfare clinics and talks to
women's organisations.
The Circular was duly considered by the Health Committee and the consequential recommendations
accepted as a basis for the Health Department activities in cancer education.
Education of the public on other health subjects has been carried out by pesters, pamphlets
and leaflets as opportunity afforded during the year.
Appropriate publicity measures were taken in conjunction with the Medical Director to
prepare for the visit of the Mass Radiography Unit to the Town Hall, Stratford, during August.
Sessions were held for the public and employees of the Corporation and other organisations, and
endeavours were made to Impress on the community the importance of attending for a chest x-ray
examination in order to detect unsuspected tuberculosis in its early and easily treatable phase.
Six thousand four-hundred-and-forty-eight persons attended the various sessions held.
Liaison with the Special Treatment Centre continued as in previous years. The Health
Department is responsible for publicity to encourage early resort to skilled advice in case of
suspected venereal disease.
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