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However, later wherever necessary, teams from the disinfecting stations carried out
spraying with a deodorant to further help deal with this problem, particularly the
smell rising from the underfloor space.
The midwifery services were considerably disrupted. At least half of the midwives'
telephones were out of order and travelling was very difficult. The police with their
short-wave radio transmitters were of great assistance and many of the midwives
visited their patients to confirm that their services were not required. During the period
from the 14th to 18th September twelve babies were delivered at home and none
arrived without the full assistance of the midwife which is commendable considering
the difficulties, particularly of transport.
Visits were made by the health visitors to all people living in the flooded areas
who were known to them, and baby foods were distributed to all who needed them.
The clinics in the areas were also kept open for the issuing of food throughout each
day.
The creche at Central Clinic was opened for the children of parents in temporary
accommodation at the Saville. Toys and equipment were also loaned to children
staying there. Large quantities of children's clothing were distributed by the health
visitors. Prams were acquired and given free to those who had lost theirs in the floods.
Emergency arrangements were made to accommodate a few children in the Day
Nursery at Rushey Green whilst the parents were mopping up at home.
In order to make sure that all complaints and information about individual
properties had received attention, a second survey was carried out by the health inspectors
on Tuesday, 24th September.
It may never be known how many properties were affected by the flood but certainly
1,118 properties were brought to the Department's notice, although in some of the
cases the damage was due to drain blockage.
A quantity of food was condemned by the inspectors and advice was given to
shopkeepers. Many public houses were also visited and arrangements were made in
most cases for the brewers to collect stocks and replace. In one particular case, however,
it was decided to destroy the contaminated stock.
Many problems relating to defective properties remained as a result of the flooding,
and some of these were still outstanding at the end of the year.
The Home Help Service carried on with normal duties as far as possible during the
flooding but some helps had difficulty in getting to the homes to which they were
assigned and a few were turned back by the police because of the inaccessibility of
their destination. Many of the home helps worked hours beyond their normal time
to help families in clearing up after the flood and some of these did not make any
claims for overtime. It can be said that those home helps who were working in properties
that were within the flood areas, carried on doing all they could to help without
fuss and without questioning whether or not any job came within their normal terms
of work.
It must be said that all of the staff involved in dealing with problems caused by
the flood gave unstintingly of themselves, many of them working hours far beyond
their normal call of duty.
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