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Health Education
Health education involved many of the Health Department staff but particularly health
visitors. They have undertaken individual and group teaching of expectant and nursing mothers,
they have assisted teachers in health education in Schools and arranged special lectures and
displays.
Public Health Inspectors have continued to provide health education on food hygiene
throughout the Borough. They have given lectures and special courses for Schools Meals Service
and other catering staff.
Special publicity campaigns were promoted on immunisation, cervical smear tests, accidents
in the home, food hygiene and cigarette smoking.
Laundry Service
Soiled bed linen and personal clothing was collected regularly from the homes of those
persons who were incontinent and laundered in the Council's Baths Department Laundry.
Consideration was given to the suggestion that disposable incontinence pads should be provided
to all those in need on request. It was thought, however, that difficulties in disposing of
these pads in this area was outweighed by the advantages of the Service and it was, therefore,
decided to continue the incontinent laundry service instead. A small supply of incontinence
pads was made available to Home Nurses for use in cases of emergency.
Loan of Nursing Equipment
Articles of sick room equipment were issued on short term loan free of charge at the
request of general practitioners, district nurses and other workers to persons being nursed in
their own homes.
The Health Department have a stock of over 196 wheelchairs and 233 commodes and many items
of smaller equipment. The demand for short term loan of these two main items has been difficult
to meet at all times during the period under review. In 1969. an appeal was made via the
Council's News-sheet for unwanted items of nursing equipment, particularly wheelchairs. The
Department was very grateful for the response and in particular to the East Ham Round Table
No. 4l6 who generously donated £171, which was used to purchase additional wheelchairs.
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