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
Greenwich 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough]
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ability were consequently revoked by the Council in September of
the current year.
Bakehouses and bakers' shops were visited on 68 occasions and,
as a result of the inspections, 8 improvements were realised. These
alterations were effected solely by informal action.
Catering Establishments.—Public demand for communal
catering continues and as a result of this practice of ' eating out'
the inspection and supervision of cafes, restaurants, works' canteens
etc., remains one of the most important duties of the Food Inspectors.
Disregard of normal hygiene in the handling and preparation of
food at such establishments can lead to an outbreak of food poison—
ing on a large scale and it is a tribute to the Inspectors' vigilance
that no such outbreaks have occurred.
As a result of 269 visits of inspection to the catering establish— ments insanitary conditions were remedied and improvements effected at 18 premises. The following is a summary of the improve— ments carried out:—
| Type of Improvement Effected. | Total No. |
|---|---|
| Cleaned and painted | 16 |
| New sink fitted | 3 |
| Refrigerator installed | 2 |
| Extractor fan installed | 1 |
| Lavatory Basin installed | 1 |
| Floor recovered | 2 |
| Ventilation improved | 2 |
| Hoods fitted to Gas Stoves | 1 |
| Walls refaced | 1 |
| Shop front tiled | 1 |
| Total Improvements Effected | 30 |
Many licenced victuallers have instituted a catering service
during the last few years, some providing prepared food to be
consumed at the bar counter and others supplying a cooked lunch
in a separate dining room. Improvements were carried out at 7
public houses as a result of informal action.
Food and Drugs Act, 1938.—In accordance with the Council's
contract with the Public Analyst to submit between four and five
hundred samples per year, 416 were obtained under the provisions of
the above Act and presented for examination. Of this total, 6 samples
were formal and 410 informal of which 11 (all informal) were reported
to be non-genuine. Four other samples were reported upon as
contravening various regulations concerning labelling, etc., but being
genuine in composition have not been included in the calculation of