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59
HEALTH EDUCATION
Kathleen M. E. Griffiths - Health Education Officer
More and more questions are being asked regarding Health Education
and the part it should play in a modern Social Services department.
Certainly, these questions are difficult to answer and it is probable that
they will be closely examined and some positive action taken in the not
too distant future. We are in the midst of change, especially so in the
re-organisation of health and social services and the preventive and
educational services will, no doubt, receive a large "share of the cake";
Certainly this has been a challenging year for the health education
staff. The problems of the working environment have occupied a great
deal of our time!! However these and other problems have been overcome
and a large amount of sterling work has been carried out by the departmental
staff, most notably the health visitors', who have spent time both
during and out of working hours in health teaching to young children,
mothers and adult groups. To them, and to other professional staff, the
health education service owes a great deal.
Health Education in Schools
The controversy continues as to who should be responsible for
carrying out health teaching and whether it should be a "set" subject in
the school curriculum.
We most fortunate in being able to establish a useful working partnership
with a growing number of schools, whereby many members of
health and welfare staff contribute to health programmes. During the year
we have increased the number of schools visited by our staff to thirteen
secondary, and six junior schools plus one special school for the educationally
sub-normal. This is an indication of the growing awareness in
schools of this subject for their pupils. Indeed it is often the pupils
themselves who request and instigate the visits. The fact that help is
sought from the department shows an understanding of the specialised
nature of the many facets of health education and the great value of outside
help from specialists given within the framework of the school
syllabus and curriculum. The topics range from talks on human development,
safety qnd sex education to health problems of today's society.