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67
PUBLIC CONVENIENCES
There are 8 conveniences in use under the control of the Public Health Department,
each with a Men's and Women's Section and with an attendant present during the whole
period of opening. The conveniences have been constructed at various times between
1900 and 1961.
All the conveniences have both a free and paid wash for the convenience of the
public, the only exception being at Wyfold Road, where there is a free wash only. All
W. C s are now available free of charge. These facilities are well used and appreciated
and letters are frequently received from persons living outside the Borough congratulating
all concerned on the condition of the conveniences.
Gibbs' Green New Convenience (Builders - Tersons Ltd.)
The new convenience, designed by the Borough Architect, Mr. E A McDonald,
A. R. I. B. A. , F. I Hsg., on a site opposite the old underground one was opened on the
1st May The circular shape of the convenience has attracted favourable comment and a
photograph of it is shown in the centre pages.
Garden Seats. It was decided that two garden seats in the vicinity of the Gibb's
Green Convenience would provide a useful amenity. A donation of ten guineas was
received from the Metropolitan Public Gardens' Association towards the cost of these
seats and this was acknowledged by the fixing of an appropriate plaque to one of them.
The seats have been placed in the centre of a garden refuge at the junction of Mund
Street with North End Road directly opposite the convenience.
Improved Lighting
During the year fluorescent lighting was installed at Lillie Road. New King' s Road
and Effie Road Conveniences which means that every convenience, with the exception of
Wyfold Road, now has modern improved lighting. Wyfold Road has not been altered as it
was built primarily for persons attending the Employment Exchange and, therefore, it
closes at 5 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays and 6 p. m. on Fridays.
MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS
During the year 141 medical examinations were carried out. These included the
examination of new entrants to the Council' s service, to determine their medical fitness
for the post and their suitability for acceptance under the Superannuation Scheme.
Others were referred because of prolonged sick leave or accident. The latter usually
required specialist investigation and this is done in collaboration with the patient's
private doctor.
A useful addition to the equipment of the department was a Fleming "Master Vision
Screener". This apparatus applies fourteen vision tests to a subject's eyesight in a
rapid and convenient manner. From the results obtained the presence of a defect of
vision can be quickly ascertained.
It is not generally realised that 30-40% of the population suffer from a defect of
vision of which they are quite unaware. Such visual defects can cause physical
discomfort, fatigue, loss of efficiency, and may even endanger life. In most cases
these defects, when detected, can be corrected or improved.
This apparatus is the counterpart of the Mass X-Ray Service which detects lung
diseases in their early and curable stages and before a person realises he is ill - this
eye-testing equipment can reveal defects of which a person may be unaware.