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HEALTH EDUCATION
The Council, in November 1965, agreed a recommendation from the Health Committee that a
Health Education and Home Safety Advisory Committee be set up with the following terms of reference:'To
consider, and advise the Health Committee on matters of policy and
planning in the field of health education, including home safety.'
It was agreed that the undermentioned bodies be invited to appoint representatives on the
Committee
Association of Public Health Inspectors
British Dental Association
British Medical Association
Camden Old People's Welfare Association
Camden Trades Council
Central Council for Health Education
Chambers of Commerce
Co-operative Women's Guild
Health Visitors Association
Inner London Education Authority
Institute of Health Education
National Association for Mental Health
National Society for Mentally Handicapped Children
Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
University of London Institute of Education
and that in addition, representatives of the Public Utility Boards and of the Fire Brigade should be
invited to attend meetings of the advisory committee at which subjects within their powers were to
be discussed. At a later date it was agreed that the Hampstead Consumer Group be added to the
list of advisory members. The Council resolved that six Council members should serve on the
Committee.
Within the Health Department a health education advisory group, meeting approximately
once every two months under the chairmanship of an Associate Medical Officer of Health, wasformed.
This group is composed of the Health Education Officer, the Chief Nursing Officer (Health Visiting,
Day Nurseries, etc.), the Deputy Principal Social Worker (Health Services), the Deputy Principal
Mental Health Social Worker, the Deputy Chief Public Health Inspector and a representative from
the child welfare centres and day nursery services together with administrative support. The group's
main functions include the planning of future health education projects and monthly schemes, coordination
of activity within the Department, co-operation with outside bodies, health education inservice
training and control of expenditure on health education.
In addition to the above group a working party was formed, consisting of the Chief Nursing
Officer (Health Visiting and Day Nurseries), the Health Education Officer and representatives from
each of the Council's child welfare centres and day nurseries; the working party meets fortnightly to
put into practice the policy decisions of the advisory group, to review new health education material
and to produce specialist teaching and other health education aids as required.
In 1966, apart from the usual monthly themes, campaigns were undertaken in connection
with Mental Health Week, immunisation publicity and food hygiene.
During the year 630 lectures were given to a total audience of 9,647, the great majority of
which were groups of mothers or expectant mothers. Apart from these, however, there was much health
education, not reflected in any statistics, but carried out on a person-to-person basis. Medical officers,
health visitors, public health inspectors, social workers, dentalstaff and in fact all the field workers
carry out health education continually in their daily contact with the public.
With this in mind, arrangements were made with the Central Council for Health Education
for courses in health education to be provided for members of the staff from all branches Of the department.
The first two lectures took place in the autumn, and were both well-attended and successful.
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