[Report 1969] / Medical Officer of Health, Durham County Palatine / County Council.

  • Durham (England : County). Council.
Date:
1969
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1969] / Medical Officer of Health, Durham County Palatine / County Council. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Madam Curie Foundation. In addition to acting as agents for the “ Night Sitter ” Service the County Council also acted for the Madam Curie Memorial Foundation in the provision of extra nourishment and clothing for cancer patients. IV. Nursing Equipment. A central store of appliances is maintained in the Health and Welfare Department and a local store of smaller articles of equipment at Chester-le-Street. Stores are also maintained at Easington. Issues are made on the recommendation of a doctor, health visitor, district nurse or medical social worker. Visiting officers notify the Health and Welfare Department when the equipment is no longer required. Liaison with medical social workers of the hospitals receiving patients from the administrative coimty is maintained. Over 90 different items were provided during the year. All types of nursing equipment are issued on loan free of charge. V. Convalescent Homes. During the year arrangements were made, on medical recommendation, for the admission of 43 county patients to convalescent homes for recuperative holidays as follows :— Silloth Convalescent Home 7 Rose Joicey Home, Whitburn ... 36 In 19 instances the County Council was responsible for the full maintenance charges and in the remaining 24 cases contributions were required from the patients or their families. Applications from 24 other patients were withdrawn for various reasons. VI. Health Education. The Section has responded to the increasing awareness of the importance of Health Education and has continued to expand its services to various sections of the community. Information Services Sectional revision of the Health and Welfare Services Handbook was continued so that the accuracy of its contents is continually ensured. The audio-visual aid catalogue has enabled the staff of the Department to make a larger and more effective use of all materials available from the section. This has been particularly evident in the use of materials to support the Monthly Topic. Similarly the Information Service continues to be used by the staff and on an increasing scale by teachers in training, and by students in schools and colleges, who require background material for lessons and projects. These subjects have included Diet, Smoking, Home Safety and Community Health. Monthly Topic Posters and pamphlets are distributed each month on a variety of subjects to all clinics and a supply is carried by the mobile caravans. These posters and pamphlets are supplemented by audio visual aids such as films, slides and cine-cassettes. Subjects in 1969 included Influenza, Immunisation, Fluoridation, Fireworks etc. Where agreed, display boards are erected in the waiting areas of doctors who practise from health centres, for displaying posters and pamphlets about the Monthly Topic. At the County Show the Department’s contribution this year was entitled “Services to the Deaf”. The exhibition illustrated the type and scope of the services available to the deaf and partially hearing, especially those available to children.