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8
They are, however, essential in maintaining standards and in securing constant attention
to the needs of the public health. The same may be said of food sampling. The overwhelming
majority of samples are reported by the Borough Analyst to be genuine, but
I am certain that continued sampling is necessary to maintain this happy state of affairs.
Work on the smoke control programme was, with the help of an additional technical
assistant, further accelerated during the year, and the sixth and last smoke control order
was made by the Council in December. By the 1st December, 1962, the borough will
be the first to have become entirely covered by smoke control orders. The effects are not
yet apparent in the measurements made by our smoke recording instruments. The general
absence of smoke from chimneys in a smoke control area however, makes the occasional
miscreant the more obvious. The majority of smoke emissions are of short duration
and result from mechanical failures.
In July, 1961, I submitted a representation that three houses in Eagle Street were
unfit for human habitation. It is understood that consultations with the owners of the
property have taken place, but so far no order has been made by the Council. The general
standard of housing in the borough is better than in many other parts of London, but
there is a relatively small number of dwellings which were considered unfit many years
ago, and with the agreement of the County Council they are scheduled to be dealt with
by 1965.
In October the Council made new Underground Room Regulations. Their effect
is substantially the same as that of the old regulations, but more lattitude is allowed in
the means of achieving the desired ends.
During the early part of the year the department designed displays for the Home
Safety Exhibition organised by the Road and Home Safety Committee. The stands
received favourable comment and were subsequently loaned to other authorities.
The number of old people on the register kept by the department increased during
the year. In getting to know old people in the borough we rely entirely on information
given informally by old people themselves, and by other persons interested in their welfare.
The closest possible liaison is kept with voluntary workers in the borough, and with the
health visitors of the County Council. The social workers visits are greatly appreciated
by the old people, many of whom are assisted thereby to retain their independence.
In June, the administration of the old people's holiday scheme (which is run by the
Old People's Welfare Committee, with a grant from the Borough Council) was transferred
to the department.
Over the past several years the establishment of clerical officers in the department
has quite properly been decreased. As a result of recent additions to the duties of the
department however, the number of staff is now barely adequate. It goes without saying
that the work of the clerical sections is essential to the smooth running of the department,
and that the senior officers are required to bring specialist knowledge of public health to
the performance of their duties. Clerical and technical officers together form a team which,
I am pleased to say, functions efficiently and harmoniously.
I am happy to place on record my gratitude to the Public Health Committee and
particularly its Chairman, for their interest and encouragement, and at times their forbearance.
I would thank also my fellow chief officers for their help and support. By
no means least my thanks are due to the staff of the department who have worked conscientiously
and efficiently throughout the year, with the results that are recorded in the
following pages.
I am,
Your obedient Servant,
G. W. PIPER,
Medical Officer of Health.