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FOOD HYGIENE ETC.
29.11 Talks and demonstrations on food hygiene and infestation control were given
to catering staffs in canteens, restaurants and hotels.
SWIMMING INSTRUCTION
29.12 The children's learner swimming scheme continued to flourish throughout 1967
and 1968 and is now in its sixth year. The scheme is run by the Health Department and
instructors are all volunteers, mostly members of the staff. Parents are invited to help
run the scheme in order to give instructors the maximum time for teaching. Class size
is usually limited to 40, with 6 instructors.
The children come to the Prince of Wales Baths once a week from 7 to 8 p.m.
and a course lasts for 33 weeks. The main object of the classes has been to make the
children water-safe, and experience has shown that beginners require 20-24 lessons,
after which most children can be considered water-safe. Children of special ability
have joined local swimming clubs, and almost all of them have been able to swim when
old enough to attend school swimming.
Since the scheme started, hundreds of children have learned to swim and many
parents have expressed their thanks and appreciation for its success. In some cases
the parents have commented that the confidence gained by the children in learning to
swim has been reflected in an improvement of general confidence, and many have shown
a marked advance in school work.
CO-CPE RAT I ON WITH VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS
29.13 A wide co-operation with health education projects promoted by other bodies
in the Borough was achieved. Among these, the work of the Y.M.C.A. in organising
courses in human relationships for mixed fifth and sixth form groups is noteworthy.
MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION FOR HOME NURSES
29.14 Dr. B.G. Adams, Consultant Psychiatrist employed jointly by Camden, University
College Hospital and the New Southgate Hospital Group, received a party of home nurses
at the Friern Hospital. He gave a lecture to the nurses followed by a discussion, and
they were shown some of the wards at the hospital.
FOOT HEALTH AND DENTAL HEALTH - STUDY DAY
29.15 A study day on foot health and dental health for Health Department staff was
held at the Academic Centre, Whittington Hospital. The morning session on foot health
included instruction in the care of feet, the choice of footwear and the effects of posture.
The afternoon session on dental health covered both dental hygiene and advice on diet.
IN-SERVICE TRAINING
29.16 In-service training in health education included a iecture by Dr. K. Bobath
Consultant Physician at Harperbury Hospital. He and his wife, who is a physiotherapist,
have developed a new method of treatment for cerebral palsied and subnormal children.
Dr. Bobath spoke about this to an audience of about 100 medical officers, health visitors,
social workers, nursing staff and nursery students. His talk, which was illustrated with
slides, films and a demonstration with a normal baby, was much appreciated.
WORK OF FIELD STAFF
29.17 The formal teaching carried out in various sectors by the community by fieldworkers
has been an essential part of the department's efforts. At the same time, health
education of the individual by the individual has been carried on whenever the opportunity
presented itself. To give greater support, the part-time services of a medical officer
were allocated to health education work. As a result, activities undertaken and total
audiences have both increased. The continuing excellent co-operation between the
Health Department, the Town Clerk's Department (Public Relations Section) and the
Libraries and Arts Department contributed considerably to the successful contact with the
public through poster displays, the distribution of leaflets, and press coverage of many
health education activities. We are most grateful to all concerned.
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