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Discussion groups are held with mothers and with older people
who attend the clinics and health education topics are much to the
fore.
Health Education in Schools
Both the Health Education Officer and the health visitors continued
throughout the year with teaching programmes in schools.
Mainly, however, this teaching has perforce only been possible in the
High Schools, due to lack of additional staff for this important function.
It is hoped that additional staff may be available in the coming
year which will enable this service to be extended.
Many more schools have become aware of the health education
service and its possibilities. This, of course, has meant ever increasing
requests for help with teaching and visual aids, etc All requests were
met with every assistance where possible.
In May, with the help of a schools and medical liaison officer from
a large and conscientious footwear manufacturer, a programme to
promote foot health was launched throughout many of the schools in
the Borough. This was greeted with enthusiasm by teachers and
appeared to interest the youngsters at whom it was directed.
Courses for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme have commenced
in some of the High Schools and are being conducted by
health visitors with the help of the Health Education Officer.
Health Education in Other Fields
Requests are received from youth clubs and other organisations
for talks, sometimes illustrated, on topics concerned with aspects of
health.
These requests are always met since, when education is requested,
it is more likely to be remembered and acted upon. Subjects portrayed
included Dental Health, Home Safety, Cervical Cytology and Venereal
Diseases. This latter subject was one in which a great deal of interest
was shown and the supply of handouts needed replenishing frequently.
This surely indicates a desire for more knowledge on this problem,
which is currently causing so much concern.
Displays and Exhibitions
No major campaign was undertaken during the year, but displays
on differing themes have been erected in clinics and the foyer of the
Health Department at regular intervals.
At the Civic Exhibition held in November this year, one of the
main attractions was 'Smoking Susie.' A great number of people,
children, teenagers and adults alike, seemed to want to learn more
about the dangers of smoking and many were the requests for help
to stop smoking.
In Service Training
Sessions were held at different centres for medical officers, health
visitors and nursing staff, on a variety of subjects and were generally
well attended.
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