Catalogue description Central Council for Health Education: Minutes and Papers

The Central Council for Health Education was formed in 1927, largely at the instigation of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. In December 1935 it was registered under the Companies Act 1929 as a non-profit making Company limited by Guarantee and not having Share Capital.

Until 1950 the Council was formed of representatives of the Ministries of Health and Education, the various associations of Local Authorities, the professional organisations of Medical Officers of Health, Directors of Education, doctors, dentists, nurses and teachers, and the affiliated voluntary organisations who were concerned with health matters, together with certain individuals of special ability and distinction who were elected annually. The Minister of Health recognised the Council as "the one agency for education in matters of health education generally" in England and Wales and guaranteed it against financial loss. The Council provided expert personnel, advice and material to assist Local Authorities in England and Wales to educate their people in health matters. It normally had 56 full members, together with 8 distinguished members who represented no particular organisation but were eminent in their own right.

The Council was reconstituted in 1950 to bring it into line with the provisions of the National Health Service Act 1946. Since its aim was now more closely identified with the work of Local Authorities, the latter assumed full power and responsibility for its work including financial responsibility. Membership was now restricted to 29 full Council members, with a large number of Associate members.

In April 1968 an official body designated "The Health Education Council Ltd." was established for England and Wales in accordance with the recommendations of a Joint Committee of the Central and Scottish Health Services Councils (better known as the Cohen Committee on Health Education), 1959-1963. The Central Council for Health Education acted for the new Council on an agency basis until 31 December 1968 when the new Council assumed operational responsibility for the health education promotional activities formerly undertaken by the Ministry of Health and the Central Council. The Central Council was finally dissolved in May 1969.