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Many aspects of tuberculosis were discussed, both as to incidence, control
and preventive measures and one should like to take this opportunity of
thanking all the very busy doctors and others who attended and made their
expert advice so freely available.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH:
a) Housing:
In recent years, Hammersmith has been fortunate in having by and
large a full complement of Public Health Inspectors. During 1971,
however, this satisfactory situation was gradually eroded so that
by the end of the year the Inspectorate was some 40% under strength
The reasons for this are set out in the appropriate section of this
Report. They highlight the difficulties which face an Inner London
Borough Council in relation to staff whose salaries are related to
National Scales.
Despite the shortage of staff the Public Health Inspectors continued
during the year to be most active in the housing field.
Consequent upon the Housing Act of 1969, this activity was
directed increasingly to work in relation to "Study Areas"
and to "General Improvement Areas", although survey of houses
in multi-occupation was continued. Slum Clearance, although no
longer required on a large scale, was not forgotten and four
separate clearance areas were represented during the year.
Lack of amenities and overcrowding continue as major problems in
the housing field. Improvement grants and Direction Orders are
designed to deal with the former, while every effort was made by
the Chief Public Health Inspector along with health visitor and
social work colleagues to alleviate the latter, by taking such
measures,short of statutory action, which was available to them.
b) Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, 1963:
The enforcement of the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act,
1963, was again the responsibility during 1971, of a section of
the Public Health Inspectorate. The cleanliness of the smaller
premises was not always satisfactory, and in a small number of
instances sanitary conveniences were found to be unhygienic.
On the other hand, there was again an improvement in the provision
of washing facilities. As in the home, falls comprised the most
common form of accident reported.
c) Pest Control:
Both rat and mice infestation increased in the Borough during 1971.
This state of affairs underlines the necessity for the systematic
sealing of drains and sewers in relation to the demolition of
property. It also implies that householders have a responsibility
to protect food-stuffs and to take effective action at the first
indication of the presence of mice. Advice on pest control is, of
course, available from officers of the Environmental Health
Department, and it is important that the precautions which they
recommend in regard to the more dangerous substances which it is
now necessary to use, should be stringently followed. In this
context it is relevant to note that the feeding of pigeons gives
rise not only to extensive nuisance caused by these birds themselves,
but is also an important factor in increasing the incidence
of rat and mice infestation. To regularly feed pigeons in a high
density residential area is to trespass on the public health.
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