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The staff position in respect of public health inspectors and technical assistants has been maintained
during the year; despite the continued national shortage of inspectors, the vacancies resulting
from resignations, seven in number, were filled reasonably quickly. Two senior inspectors retired,
and their posts were filled by advancement of inspectors from the existing staff. One student
completed training, and upon qualification was appointed to an established post; one abandoned
his studies, and two student appointments were made.
It will be appreciated by all those engaged in public service that the value of work done in the
field stems from the attitude and adequacy of the officers engaged in the many and varied duties,
both statutory and advisory, imposed upon and expected of them. In order to fulfil the requirements
of both the City Council and the general public within the broad framework of legislation, policies
and sound practice, it is necessary to establish certain codified procedures which will ensure
consistent interpretations of law and technology acceptable both to the public health officers and
those whom they serve. This has been achieved, and from time to time changing situations are
reviewed by group consultation and by periodic voluntary meetings of all public health inspectors
on the staff. To this activity behind the scenes may be attributed in no small measure the good
relationships existing amongst the inspectorate. Thence also the excellent public relations outside the
Department where, in the execution of his duties, the public health inspector is constantly in contact
with people in all walks of life and in varying circumstances.
During the year some re-deployment of the public health inspectorate was undertaken to provide
adequate coverage of duties in view of the developing programme and to meet the City's peculiarly
concentrated needs. The changes resulted in the provision of four areas utilising where appropriate
the boundaries of the authorities merged in 1965. The number of districts has been reduced from
32-24, additional weight being given to specialist interests. This has greatly assisted the administrative
section of the department, has facilitated reference to records in relation to the former
constituent Authorities, and has improved public contact facilities. A further benefit which will
accrue is in the management of the North Westminster Project, where a strong and well balanced
team of public health inspectors and technical assistants will operate in an "Area", dealing with
all general environmental matters in addition to carrying out surveys and inspections associated
with this project.
The Food Section has continued to function throughout the year within two inter-related spheres
of activity, viz: (1) Food Control, entailing the surveillance of wholesale and retail food premises,
soundness, quality and labelling of foodstuffs, and (2) Catering Hygiene related to hotels, restaurants,
canteens, clubs and public houses. Inspectors in the food section also undertake enquiries and
investigation in respect of food poisoning, and the specialised knowledge within this section is
invaluable in the tracing and control of outbreaks.
The Consumer Protection Act which came into force during the year is jointly administered
within the City by the Public Control Section of the Town Clerk's Department and the Health
Department, and for the purposes of this legislation all matters relating to food quality, nature and
substance are dealt with by the Health Department. Close liaison exists, and has been extended
between departments for consultation and in connection with matters arising under this Act.
The four specialist inspectors in the Drainage and New Developments Section receive and
scrutinize plans and specifications of works in connection with all building projects, and especially
with regard to major contracts discuss proposals with architects, surveyors, consultants and
contractors in the light of legislation and technical and practical requirements. It will be appreciated
that if during preliminary or early-stage discussion all aspects of Health Department interests can be
brought forward and planned into a construction scheme, this will avoid costly alterations to structure