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
Lewisham 1968
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lewisham Borough]
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Other matters to which it was necessary to draw attention were:
| Insufficient heating | 6 |
| Insufficient lighting | 18 |
| Condition of floors and staircases | 28 |
| Insufficient washing facilities | 12 |
| Facilities for drying clothes | 6 |
| Insufficient ventilation | 6 |
| Insufficient sanitary accommodation | 6 |
| Absence of drinking water | — |
| Lack of seating facilities | — |
| Poor standard of cleanliness | 14 |
| Overcrowding | — |
| Deficient sanitary accommodation | 14 |
| Deficient washing accommodation | 6 |
Reinspections were made to ascertain whether these matters had been put right
and where this was not so, further action was taken to enforce compliance.
The number of registered premises in 1968 showed a slight increase (by 26), whilst
the number newly registered during the year increased (by 36). The number of staff
employed also increased from 17,155 (males 7,582 compared with 7,412 in 1967 and
females 9,939 compared with 9,743).
There were 91 accidents reported during the year and investigation of 48 of these
again showed that they were mostly of a minor character, except in one case, where a
lad suffered serious injury in dismantling and cleaning a bacon slicing machine. The
firm concerned was prosecuted and a conviction obtained following a plea of guilty.
In several instances occupiers were asked to carry out alterations or repairs to obviate
any further accidents.
The conditions in shop and office premises are undoubtedly improving as a result
of this Act, and it is hoped further inspections during 1969 will show that the improvements
have been maintained.
| Class of premises | Number of premises newly registered during the year | Total number of registered premises at end of year | Number of registered premises receiving one or more general inspections during the year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offices | 22 | 575 | 223 |
| Retail shops | 37 | 1,641 | 681 |
| Wholesale shops, warehouses | 2 | 94 | 10 |
| Catering establishments open to the public, canteens | 24 | 250 | 250 |
| Fuel storage depots | — | 11 | 1 |
| TOTALS | 85 | 2,571 | 1,165 |