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 1960
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough.
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110
Bakehouses.— At the end of the year, 8 premises in the
Borough were being used as bakehouses, none of which was
underground.
Bakehouses and bakers' shops were visited on 34 occasions
and, as a result of the inspections eight improvements were effected.
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 poisoning on a large scale and it is a tribute to the
Inspectors' vigilance that no such outbreaks have occurred.
As a result of 144 visits of inspection to the catering establishments, insanitary conditions were remedied and improvements effected on 24 occasions. The following is a summary of the improvements carried out:—
| Type of Improvement Effected | Total No. |
|---|---|
| Walls and Ceilings cleaned and redecorated | |
| (Premises) | 14 |
| (W.C.s) | 1 |
| Hot Water Supply installed | 2 |
| Dustbins renewed | 3 |
| Waste Pipes repaired | 1 |
| W.C. Door renewed | 1 |
| Yard cleansed | 1 |
| Internal Rain Water Pipes renewed | 1 |
| Total improvements effected | 24 |
Many licensed 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. Three improvements were carried out
at public houses as a result of informal action.
Food Rejected.—The following table is a summary of unsound
food voluntarily surrendered during the year under the provisions
of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, Section 180(8) most of
which was processed and used for animal feeding :—