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6
lands. But while the number of houses which are statutorily unfit for
human habitation may be comparatively small in Battersea, the number
of houses which are sub-standard in terms of modern ideas is large.
Another aspect is that in some quite circumscribed areas, properties in
various categories are intermixed. Thus, we may have some houses
which are undoubtedly unfit for human habitation, and some which
are reasonably satisfactory, while others, although not actually statutorily
unfit, are sub-standard in terms of modern ideas. The type of substandard
house I have in mind is the house which was originally intended
for one family, but which is now occupied by two or possibly three
families. Such houses do not possess those modern amenities which are
now generally accepted as necessary for a happy family life. One of the
problems to which it will be necessary to turn our attention in the not
distant future is how to provide housing accommodation for each family
unit, which is in accord with modern ideas. In other words, to effect a
transformation of old and sub-standard property into family housing
units, which comply with modern standards. A great deal is
being done in Battersea, both by the Borough Council, and the London
County Council, to provide homes for the people, and there are large
new areas being developed in the Borough. So far as estates developed
by the Borough Council are concerned, the new tenants are already
Battersea residents. In the case of London County Council estates,
however, a high proportion of the tenants come from areas outside
Battersea. When the areas now under development are, in the course of
time, completed, a tremendous advance will have been made in the
housing of the people of the Borough.
I made some mention in my report for 1952 of arrangements in
this area whereby the duties of the Medical Officer of Health for
Battersea, Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth, and Divisional
Medical Officer, London County Council, Health Division No. 9, are
combined in a single appointment. I ventured the opinion, writing at
that time on the basis of some eighteen months experience of the
work, that the idea was basically sound, and offered many advantages
over forms of administration where there were functional divisions
between the environmental health services and the personal health
services. Now, two years later, after some three and a half years experience
of the work, I am confirmed in my opinion that this form of
aministration is highly satisfactory and satisfying. From the point
of view both of the services, and of those responsible for operating
them, there is a tremendous advantage in abolishing lines of demarcation
between the personal and environmental health services which from
the functional or working point of view are largely artificial. Over the
past three and a half years, no difficulties have been encountered, and a
very important contributory factor has been the ready help and cooperation
which has been forthcoming from everyone connected with the
work.
Over and above the statutory or generally accepted duties of a
Medical Officer of Health are two ancillary functions, which ought &
be undertaken whenever opportunity presents, since apart from their
intrinsic worth, they are valuable and stimulating adjuncts to the routin
work of the Medical Officer of Health and the Health Department.
I refer to the academic teaching of public health and to the conduct
of research into problems of public health work and preventive medicine.