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11
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH—WORK OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH INSPECTORS
Chief Public Health Inspector: E. W. Pike, M.A.P.H.I.
Deputy Chief Public Health Inspector: W. G. J. Sutton, F.A.P.H.I. (retired 30th June)
V. A. Bignell, F.A.P.H.I. (from 1st July)
At 31st December, 1966
Establishment In post
Public Health Inspectors 59 49
Student Public Health Inspectors 13 12
Technical Assistants 24 22
Although the number of public health inspectors in post was still short of the establishment
figure, the position improved since the last Report and a significant feature, as far as inspectors and
technical assistants were concerned, was the steady increase in numbers which has been achieved
during the year.
The gradual assimilation of six additional technical assistants, making a total of 24, into the
specialist and general district work of the public health inspectors was accomplished, and maximum
benefit is now being derived from their services. Naturally, the usefulness of these officers has increased
with their experience since appointment, as most of them were recruited from outside local
government, and those who were already working in other Departments in local government were
limited in their knowledge of environmental health work. It has been clearly established that the
assistants work under the direct supervision of the public health inspectors, and relieve them of many
routine but necessary enquires or investigations. In areas such as Westminster, where so much of the
inspector's time is occupied in direct law enforcement, with the many "fact finding operations" this
entails, the system adopted undoubtedly represents the pattern for the future.
In some ways the environmental health organisation of the Department is unique compared with
London as a whole. In Westminster there are certain aspects of the work that by reason of their
nature and extent require special control, and it is necessary, therefore, to concentrate a number
of experienced inspectors on these particular problems.
A typical example is that of the catering premises in the City. These, because of their numbers,
variety and in many cases size, require supervision by inspectors who are tactful and experienced.
They must also be prepared to pay visits during the late evening or even the early morning which is
the time when many of the clubs, cafes and restaurants do their maximum trade and when food
hygiene tends to be subordinated to expediency. It is also the time when the "hot dog" seller and
other similar food traders appear on the streets.
The implementation of the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, 1963, involving the initial
surveys and "follow-up" visits is also a matter requiring specialised organisation because of the high
concentration of both shops and offices in the City.
All new developments and recommendations in respect of associated large scale drainage and
ventilation schemes, and applications for prior approval under the Clean Air Act for heating plant
and equipment require the attention of public health inspectors of considerable experience in
these fields, who must keep themselves abreast with modern trends and improvements in building
techniques.
The enforcement of the relevant sections of the Housing Acts,1957/64, has always been considered
a job for the specialised public health inspector, and with the intense problem, particularly in the
North of the City, of the sub-standard house, over-occupied, if not statutorily overcrowded, and
with multiple lettings, the greater experience of the specialised inspector is even more necessary.
The sudden and tragic death of Mr. J. W. Brown, the Department's Rodent Officer, necessitated
some reorganisation, and the opportunity was taken to re-assess the potential of this position, and
as a result it was decided to re-designate the post as "Pest Control Officer", this being much more
applicable to the duties involved, particularly with the publicity and attention directed towards the
problems presented by the increasing number of feral pigeons and starlings in the City. The officer
appointed has had considerable experience outside local government, is well qualified technically,
and is able to provide valuable assistance to the Principal Public Health Inspector who is responsible
for Disinfestation and Disinfection work of the section.
All these matters are referred to in more detail in the Report, but it is felt that special reference to
them is appropriate to point out the fact that it is the urgency and importance of these that essentially
distinguishes the character of the work of a public health inspector in Westminster from that in
areas where the duties are less harassing, less frustrating, and where generally is provided a more