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programme of smoke control areas and it is hoped that the whole Borough
will be covered by smoke control areas by 1970. During the year, the
No. 2 Order was confirmed and became operative on the 1st October.
A word must now be said about housing. A dispassionate assessment
of housing needs in this country shows a disquieting picture. Deptford,
in comparison with other areas, has not a serious slum problem although
a large proportion of our houses fall far short of modern standards.
Housing is the hub around which all other branches of welfare services
revolve. A decent house is the indispensable base from which a family
can build a healthy and satisfying life. I understand it will take some
cities 75 years to complete slum clearance at present progress and this
takes no account of continuing deterioration of other properties.
A high proportion of Deptford houses are obsolescent rather than
actually slum and a good deal more could be done than is being done at
present by some owners to improve properties by availing themselves of
standard and discretionary improvement grants to provide such amenities
as internal sanitation and a bath and hot water system.
In a report of this nature, which is concerned with an impartial review
of all known factors impinging on the health of all citizens of this Borough,
the problem of houses in multiple occupation, or let in lodgings, must be
discussed frankly and without any overt or hidden prejudices. Large
houses are being bought in some areas and in some cases are being
occupied greatly in excess of legal limits. In such houses amenities such
as cooking and personal washing facilities are inadequate and, at times,
primitive. Fortunately legislation is about to be enacted to enable local
authorities to demand decent standards in most properties. It would be
a tragedy if standards of hygiene and living conditions, built up laboriously
over several decades and which, as yet, are not sufficiently high, were to
be eroded or undermined by an insidious increase in unsatisfactory houses
in multiple occupation. It is the business of the Health Department to
demand the highest possible standards of conduct consistent with the law
and the health of the community. No individual or section who maintain
decent standards will receive anything but the help, encouragement and
co-operation of the Health Department.
The population continues to age and citizens over 65 years now constitute
between 12 and 13% of the citizens of Deptford. The Council,
accordingly, have extended the services provided for the old people. The
number of visits paid to elderly persons increased from 3,677 in 1960 to
5,196 and collections of laundry from 3,838 to 4,058. It is of interest to
note that the number of articles laundered was over 34,000 and baths at
the Bathing Station and in the homes totalled 918.
Once again it is a pleasant duty to record my thanks to the Chairman
and Vice-Chairman of the Public Health Committee for their support,
and to the staff of the Department I record my grateful thanks for their
loyalty and diligence throughout the year.
I remain,
Your obedient Servant,
John Kerr Brown,
Medical Officer of Health.