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There was a housing section in the Public
Health Department in pre-war years, which secured the repair,
up to a full habitable standard, of large numbers of
deteriorating houses. That section should be re-established
in the near future to tackle that deterioration which has
been accruing in the war years, quite apart from the actual
war damage itself. War damage repairs, repair of
deteriorating houses and the provision of new houses are
urgent problems.
Maternity and Child Welfare Institutions.
Owing to a variety of reasons, the infant welfare
centres have become inadequate for the needs of the
borough. This question was receiving the Council's attention
in the years before the war; and, indeed, the war itself
brought to a stop the provision of the new Raymede Health
Centre and the new Bramley Road Infant Welfare Centre which
were both in hand at the outbreak of hostilities. The
Public Health Committee have this matter under careful review
at the moment.
Scabies.
This contagious skin disease, commonly called
"itch", has been prevalent throughout the war in all parts of
the country. Although it is not a fatal malady, it causes
much suffering and interferes with working capacity. To
enable local authorities to treat the disease more thoroughly
it was made "notifiable" in the London area in 1943. The
Council have not only given necessary treatment to residents
in Kensington, but have been able to offer facilities to
several neighbouring boroughs at the "Medicinal Baths. Experience
gained has enabled more efficient methods of treatment
to be introduced; and, at the present time, there is some evidence
that the incidence of the disease is decreasing.
Vermin Infestation.
This, in its different forms, has been more troublesome
than in pre-war years; but now that more normal conditions
of life are returning, it is hoped to be able to deal
with the problem energetically.
Illegitimacy.
There has been an increase in the number of births
of illegitimate children. Speaking generally, these children
have not had, in the past, the same chance of growing up into
healthy citizens as those born to married couples, and their
welfare calls for the special attention of the Council's
Maternity and Child Welfare staff.
Staff Shortages.
The reduced number of officers left in the Public
Health Department have responded splendidly to the call for
devoted service. They wish to acknowledge the encouragement
and support they have received from the Mayor, the Chairmen
and Vice-Chairmen of the various Committees and all members of
the Council. With the end of the war in Europe, and the
prospects of the return of a number of the staff, the problems
ahead will be approached with renewed vigour.