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8
There were no serious outbreaks of infectious disease in the City
during 1961. No case of poliomyelitis occurred and there were no deaths
from any notified case of infectious disease. Measles notifications showed
a sharp increase; this was expected since the disease assumes epidemic
proportions approximately every two years. Fortunately the infection
was generally mild in character.
No maternal death occurred in 1961.
The Day Club for Handicapped Old People, opened by the Westminster
Old People's Welfare Association in premises at Sherborne House, has
been an unqualified success, and is bringing much happiness to handicapped
old people who would otherwise be confined to their homes.
Providing a club of this nature produced the associated problem of
transporting the old people to it. The London County Council Welfare
Department supplies a specially adapted coach, with a power-operated
lift for wheelchairs at the rear, but it became clear at an early stage that
this would have to be supplemented by the provision of additional
transport if the club were to flourish. With this in mind the City Council
in July, 1961, agreed to purchase for Public Health Department use a
14-seater " Minibus ", which is hired to the Old People's Welfare Association
as occasion demands for transporting the old people to and from their
club. This short outing around Westminster also has beneficial effects,
and is much appreciated by the old people. When not in use by the
Association, the vehicle is used for general purposes by the Health
Department. Unfortunately, owing to an industrial dispute at the
manufacturers' works delivery of the vehicle was not obtained until
March, 1962.
The shortage of public health inspectors was somewhat alleviated
during the year, when it was possible to fill four vacancies. Of the four
public health inspectors appointed, one was returning to local government
service from private business, whilst two had just returned to this country
from appointments in East Africa. One of these left within a short time
to take up a position with an authority in Berkshire, which offered housing
accommodation, car allowance and London scales. The difficulties of
Central Metropolitan Boroughs in maintaining a full establishment under
these conditions are well appreciated by all concerned. It is, however,
pleasing to report that the staffing position was better than for over seven
years, and this is reflected throughout the report by increases in the
number of inspections undertaken.
The Council's training programme for student public health inspectors
continues to operate satisfactorily, and at the present time five persons
are under training—the maximum number which can be accepted by the
existing staff of qualified inspectors. Two of these students take their
qualifying examination in July, 1962.
One of the students qualified in 1961 and was appointed to a position
in the department; subsequently in May, 1962, he obtained the Diploma