Our involvement with other organisations

Community Education

Schools

The Health Promotion Officer works closely with the senior Education Advisor throughout the year in supplementing the school curriculum wherever needed. This frequently involves the production of resources and leaflets for use in schools.

One-day seminars are occasionaly organised by the health promotion department covering areas like infections, asthma, diabetes, first aid, mental health, drug use and HIV among other subjects to support training and updating schoolteachers in health matters. These are very popular.

Lectures and seminars are also delivered to students and pupils. An audio-visual presentation on HIV / AIDS is given to students of Westside school yearly.

Plans are under way to compile a health pack for students leaving for overseas studies and for a new range of Healthy School Awards. Healthy eating policies for school tuck shops are also under review.

Radio

The Health Promotion Officer regularly contributes to the 'HealthFile' slot, part of Radio Gibraltar's 'Focus at lunchtime' magazine programme. The purpose of this is to raise public awareness on a variety of health related issues on the health promotion agenda and to encourage individuals to adopt a healthier lifestyle. It is also used to publicise forthcoming campaigns. This programme is aired fortnightly.

Inter agency working

Networking is an important strategy in promoting health accross the community and the Health Promotion Officer is regularly involved with groups and agencies such as:

• The British Forces: close liaison on matters of mutual interest and joint working on projects.
• The Sports Development Unit: development of sports facilities and programmes for older people.

Education of patients

Opportunistic education of patients during the course of their consultation or care is often a very effective means of health education. This part of the programme is limited by resources as the potential is infinite. The Health Promotion Officer regularly visits health care outlets like St Bernard's Hospital and the Primary Care Centre, to restock literature and consider additions to the range of educational resources. Resource lists are also sent regularly to health services, education department and youth services, containing details of health information packs that are available for loan.