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Public Baths and Wash-Houses
The Metropolitan Water Board supply is utilised for both baths and pool. The water is
subjected to chlorination, alkali treatment and filtration with continuous circulation.
Samples of water were taken for analysis and all were reported satisfactory. In addition
frequent checks are made by the staff at the baths, particularly during heavy bathing times.
The Public Baths and Wash-Houses in Lime Grove, Shepherds Bush and North End Road,
Fulham provide facilities for bathing, swimming and laundry work. For bathing there are private
hot baths or shower cubicles; and towels, soap, bath cubes and shampoos are supplied at small
cost. There are concession rates for children, and for old age pensioners free baths on certain
days. In the public wash-houses, fully automatic machinery is provided for washing and spin
drying. There are also hand irons.
There are two swimming baths at Lime Grove and three at North End Road, only the
smaller ones being open all the year round. The larger ones are available during the Summer
months only as, during the Winter season, they are converted into public halls which may be hired
for meetings, concerts, wrestling, or dances, and certain periods are set aside for badminton and
indoor bowls.
There is an open air pool at Bloemfontein Road, Shepherds Bush, which, during the
Summer months, provides facilities for swimming and sun bathing.
Staff Medical Examinations
The number of medical examinations carried out by the Senior and Assistant Medical
Officers to ascertain the suitability of applicants for employment in the Council's service was
1,021. In addition 54 examinations of staff were undertaken at our three Children's Homes and 29
by other Boroughs. 76 applicants for extended sick pay and 4 for extended service were also
examined. A total of 243 specialist reports were called for and received. In all, 10 candidates
were found to be unsuitable for their proposed employment.
Evidence of recent satisfactory chest X-ray examination is required from all applicants.
When this is not available this service is undertaken by the Chest Clinics under the special
general practitioners'' service, or use is made of the mass radiography service at the Western
Hospital.. 616 such examinations were performed at the Chest Clinics, 405 at the mass radiography
unit, and 11 at hospitals outside London.
Tribute must be paid to the excellent co-operation of medical practitioners and hospital
specialists without whose willing assistance our task would be much more difficult, if not
impossible.
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