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
Kensington and Chelsea 1968
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington & Chelsea Borough]
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Individual Unfit Houses and Parts of Houses.
| Houses made fit after informal action under the Housing or Public Health Acts | 518 |
| Houses repaired after service of formal notices under the Public Health Acts | 182 |
| Houses made fit after service of formal notices under Section 9 of the Housing Act, 1957 | |
| (a) by owners | 230 |
| (b) by local authority in default | 22 |
| Action under Sections 16, 17 and 23 of the Housing Act, 1957 | |
| (a) demolition orders made | Nil |
| (b) houses demolished in pursuance of demolition orders | Nil |
| (c) closing orders made in lieu of demolition orders | 2 |
| (2 dwellings) | |
| (d) undertakings accepted from owners to render houses fit for habitation | Nil |
| (e) houses rendered fit for habitation by owners and closing orders determined | 1 |
| Action under Section 18 of the Housing Act, 1957 | |
| (a) closing orders made | 13 (26 rooms) |
| (b) closing orders determined | 16 (30 rooms) |
| (c) consent given to use of closed rooms for non-sleeping purposes | 5 (7 rooms) |
| (d) undertakings accepted from owners to render part of building fit for habitation | 1 (1 room) |
| (e) part of building rendered fit and undertaking cancelled | 1 (2 rooms) |
Assessment of Housing Priorities on Medical Grounds.
During the year, 235 applications for rehousing on medical grounds
were examined, and recommendations for the award of additional points
were made to the Chief Housing Officer. In each case, the precise
medical condition and resultant disability were determined (frequently
necessitating communication with the family doctor or with the hospital
attended). The premises were inspected in detail to ascertain the
extent and nature of the existing accommodation; the adequacy of day
and sleeping space; sanitary and structural defects; and the
existence of inconveniences, such as stairs, which might be prejudicial
to the patient.
On this information, and that supplied by the Chief Housing
Officer, an assessment of points to be awarded on medical grounds was
made in 220 cases.