London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Deptford 1952
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Deptford Borough]
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12
SANITARY INSPECTION
Owing to the deficiency in the Sanitary Inspector's establishment for
two-thirds of the year, the figures for Sanitary Inspection naturally show
a decline from those of the previous year.
For example, the total number of primary inspections was down by
12% and that of re-inspections, by 25%.
The figures following show details of the decline:—
| 1951 | 1952 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total primary inspections | 7,873 | 6,844 |
| Total re-inspections | 26,536 | 19,868 |
| Total intimation notices served | 2,225 | 1,612 |
| Total statutory notices served | 972 | 662 |
| Total premises on which works were completed | 2,495 | 1,709 |
| Total improvements effected during the year | 8,563 | 5,226 |
A system of priorities had to be arranged in order that the District
Inspectors, with their enlarged districts, could cope with the urgent
matters requiring inspection as compared with routine inspection.
In the top group of priorities were Infectious Diseases, Complaints,
Notices from Builders, Special Housing Inspections and Miscellaneous
matters needing urgent attention.
Routine inspections of Milk, Ice-cream, Fish premises, etc., Shops
Act and Factories Act visits had perforce to be left until a favourable
opportunity occurred.
The following table will show the percentage of Inspections carried
out (i) (January-April), when the establishment was up to strength and
(ii) (May-December) when the establishment was 25% deficient:—