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
Willesden 1959
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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(b) Bathrooms
The proportion of households either sharing or without a fixed bath (six out of ten) is almost double
that of the average of the county, and is much higher than that of Greater London and England and Wales
(about four out of ten).
The proportion sharing or without a water closet, cooking stove or a kitchen sink is higher than
the average for the County of Middlesex.
Gardens
Willesden is poorly equipped with public open spaces; 242 acres compared with an estimated need
of 1,313 acres; yet one in four families have no garden at all, and a large number have to share a garden.
Swimming baths
The Borough Engineer has kindly supplied the following information in respect of the three swimming
baths in the borough.
The water for filling the baths is obtained from the mains supply. It is regularly chlorinated and plant of sufficient capacity to insure breakdown conditions is installed at each bath. The capacity of each bath and the time taken for the whole of the water to pass through the filters and treatment plant is as follows:—
| Capacity (gallons) | Time taken for water to pass through filters, etc. (hours) | |
|---|---|---|
| Granville Road Baths | 145,000 | 3½ |
| Gladstone Park Swimming Pool | 500,000 | 11 |
| King Edward's Recreation Ground Swimming Pool | 350,000 | 6½ |
256 samples were taken, 22 of which were unsatisfactory (see Public Health Laboratory Service,
page 5).
| Swimming bath | Samples taken | Satisfactory | Unsatisfactory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Granville Road | 161 | 158 | 3 |
| Gladstone Park | 50 | 42 | 8 |
| King Edward's Park | 45 | 34 | 11 |
SANITARY SECTION
Staff
The establishment of Public Health Inspectors includes the Chief Public Health Inspector, the
Deputy Chief Public Health Inspector, 18 district Inspectors and 5 pupils.
At the beginning of the year there were three vacancies for district Inspectors and this shortage
seriously affected the work of the department.
The Council had decided that inspections in the proposed Stonebridge Redevelopment area should
be stopped, inspections in the No. 2 Smoke Control area should not be commenced, and they determined
priorities for other urgent schemes.
Advertisements offering grades APT. II and III produced no applicants. In March, the Council
decided to advertise vacancies on APT. IV in order to attract well-qualified and experienced officers (with
at least ten years' experience and the Smoke Inspectors Certificate in addition to the statutory qualification
and the Meat and Other Foods Certificate).
In April the vacancies increased to four; two were filled and four existing staff were regraded
APT. IV. The remaining two vacancies, together with another which had arisen were re-advertised and two
appointments were made. The remaining vacancy was filled on grade APT. II by a pupil who had recently
qualified.
Four pupil public health inspectors were on the staff at the beginning of the year. One qualified,
received his certificate and was appointed to Willesden, one new pupil was appointed, leaving one vacancy.
The Rodent Officer and four operatives are employed in the destruction of rats and mice in the •
borough, and two labourers on vermin disinfestation, disinfection, drain testing and general duties.
SANITARY INSPECTION OF THE AREA
The majority of houses inspected during the year followed complaints from tenants; there was no
systematic house-to-house inspection. Unfortunately many tenants contact the Public Health Department
only when the defects are serious and costly to remedy.
Demolition and Clos ing Orders (Table 26)
There were no demolition orders made during the year.