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In small and congested kitchens where space for even essential requirements is at a
premium, serious consideration should be given to the storage and disposal of kitchen
waste. Waste food disposal units are undoubtedly of great assistance in overcoming this
type of problem, but their use must of necessity be governed by the initial approval of the
City Engineer in order to ensure that the sewerage system in the locality is capable of
dealing with the effluent from such installations. The intelligent use of the machine by the
kitchen staff is also of paramount importance. However, combined with the use of paper
disposable containers for the remainder of the refuse from kitchens, caterers could go a long
way by using these units to establish an efficient waste disposal system, in the certain
knowledge that all danger of causing a nuisance to their neighbours would be eliminated.
Without attempting to enter into the economics of any particular system of providing
vegetables, the actual volume of waste material which has to be stored in premises can be
substantially reduced by the use of prepared vegetables.
Again we must draw attention to the unsatisfactory results which are produced from
many washing-up routines. It is understandable that everyone, erroneously relegates this job
to the status of a chore, fit in the estimation of the more normal worker only for the occupation
of a sub human species. An intelligent caterer surely would not spend good money on
expensive equipment, and imagine his problems are solved by handing over such equipment
to untrained and unskilled staff. He should make certain that the staff using this equipment
are properly trained. The manufacturers of washing-up machines etc. should also ensure that
in their organisation there are adequate facilities for providing this essential training.
It is customary at the conclusion of our notes to express thanks to our colleagues in the
Medical Officer's Department and the staff of the other Chief Officers of the Corporation.
Because these thanks, again by custom may become a little formal over .the years, they are
none the less sincere and our daily lives would be duller and more difficult without their
whole hearted co-operation.
CORPORATION STAFF
Occupational Health Service
Mass Miniature Radiography
A permanent Mass Radiography Unit is operated by the North East Metropolitan Regional
Hospital Board in premises in the City which are owned by the Corporation. Members of the
Staff are encouraged to take voluntary advantage of the facilities thus provided for biennial X-ray
of the chest. For obvious reasons no attempt is made to compile official statistics but it is
known that a large percentage of Corporation employees take advantage of this opportunity for a
regular "check-up".
Medical Emergencies
The arrangement which has been made with a firm of medical practitioners in the City to be
on call for emergencies at Guildhall was not implemented during the year.
This emergency service was instituted because the Medical Officer of Health from the nature
of his duties may often be unavailable to answer urgent calls, and even if he were, he would not
have with him the doctor's "black bag" the contents of which are essential for effective treatment
of many medical emergencies.
Ophthalmic Optician Service
Since the beginning of March, 1959, a firm of Ophthalmic Opticians have been operating an
eye testing service for members of the staff.
A weekly session is held in the Medical suite of the Guildhall Office Block.
This service is operated under the National Health Service,and examinations are free although
charges are made for the dispensing of prescriptions.
During the year, 91 members of the staff had their eyes tested, 22 of these had not previously
had an eye test under the National Health Service, and 13 were found to have visual defects which
required correction and were supplied with spectacles.
69 had been examined previously and were already using spectacles. Of these 54 needed
further correction and appropriate lenses were fitted to existing frames or to new frames of the
patient's choice.
Medical Examinations
During the year 444 persons were medically examined. The distribution by Departments and
the reason for medical examinations are shown in Table 3.
319 persons were medically examined for admission to the Superannuation Scheme; 6 were
rejected as unfit and 12 were deferred. The clinical conditions causing rejection are shown in
Table 1.
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